JP2005135316A - Communication transfer system for digital camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication transfer system for a digital camera apparatus allowing easy successful transmission in one file unit even when communication fails in the course of the communication under a poor radio wave condition. <P>SOLUTION: The communication transfer system for the digital camera apparatus which transfers a photographed still picture file attached to mail to a personal computer side is provided with: a display section LCD 11; a transmission file selection means for enabling a user to select a transmission file by using a key input section 7; a determination means for determining whether the communication employs a wireless LAN card 21 or a radio communication card 22; an acquisition means for acquiring a radio wave strength condition when the determination is positive; and a process selection execution means for selecting either a mail transmission process execution means for executing mail transmission process by using an arbitrary number of files selected in accordance with the radio wave strength condition as a plurality of attached files for one piece of the mail, or a plurality of mail transmission execution means for executing either a plurality of mail transmission processes by using an arbitrary number of the selected files as a one-mail one-attached file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention has a hardware configuration, a software structure, and a mail communication procedure method, and uses a wireless LAN card or a wireless communication card to capture a still image file taken via a network via a PC (personal computer). The present invention relates to a communication transfer method of a digital camera device that transfers the file as an attached file of mail or as FTP.

In recent years, there have been digital camera devices having a function of transmitting a photographed still image file by connecting to the Internet using a wireless LAN card or a wireless communication card.
Here, as related prior art, Patent Document 1 discloses that the resolution is determined and transmitted according to the remaining battery level, and Patent Document 2 can connect a remote camera via a network. Patent Document 3 discloses transferring image data of a camera to a server on the Internet, and Patent Document 4 is similar to Patent Document 3, but the setting can be changed via the Internet. It is disclosed that.
JP 2001-148802 A JP 2000-175179 A JP 2001-230962 A JP 2001-245197 A

However, the radio wave state of the wireless LAN card or the wireless communication card may be deteriorated depending on the environment. In this case, there are cases where it is difficult to communicate successfully when a plurality of files having a large amount of data are transmitted at once.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication transfer method for a digital camera device in which transmission in units of one file is likely to succeed even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition in order to solve the above problems. There is to do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a predetermined hardware configuration, a predetermined software structure, and a predetermined mail communication procedure method, and uses wireless LAN means or wireless communication means. In the communication transfer method of the digital camera device that transfers the captured still image file as a mail attachment to the personal computer via the network, the user selects the transmission file using the display LCD and key input unit. A transmission file selection means, a determination means for determining whether the communication is performed using a wireless LAN means or a wireless communication means, an acquisition means for acquiring the state of the radio wave intensity when used, and an arbitrary selected Mail transmission processing execution means for executing mail transmission processing with a plurality of files as a plurality of attached files of one mail, and selected arbitrary A plurality of mail transmission processing execution means for executing a plurality of mail transmission processes with a plurality of files as one mail and one attached file, and either the mail transmission execution means or the plurality of mail transmission execution means according to the radio wave intensity / state are selected. It is characterized by a communication transfer system of a digital camera device having processing selection execution means.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the setting means for setting the maximum number of attached files in advance for each mail in the digital camera device according to the radio wave intensity / state, the display unit LCD, and the key input unit are used. The user selects the transmission file, and after the selection of the transmission file is completed, it is determined whether the communication is using the wireless LAN means or the wireless communication means, and if it is used, the radio wave intensity / state is acquired. 2. The digital according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination / acquisition unit that performs the mail transmission process execution unit that sets the attachment file according to the maximum number of attachment files of one mail corresponding to the radio wave intensity / state and executes a plurality of mail transmission processes. It is characterized by the communication transfer method of the camera device.
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, when transmission of the total number of attached files is not completed, the radio wave intensity / state is acquired again, it is determined whether to make one attached file for one mail, and the mail transmission process is repeated. The digital camera apparatus communication transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission process repeating unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a still image file which has a predetermined hardware configuration, a predetermined software structure, and a predetermined mail communication procedure method, and is photographed using a wireless LAN means or a wireless communication means. In the communication transfer method of the digital camera device that transfers the FTP to the personal computer side via the network, the display LCD, the transmission file selection means for the user to select the transmission file using the key input unit, and the selection of the transmission file After completion, it is determined whether or not the communication is performed using wireless LAN means or wireless communication means, and if used, the determination / acquisition means for acquiring the radio wave intensity / state and the radio wave intensity / state is determined to be weak. In this case, a digital camera having FTP transmission processing execution means for reducing the transmission file to be transmitted and executing FTP transmission processing Wherein the communication transfer method for location.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a user uses a reduction size setting means for setting in advance a reduction size of a file corresponding to radio wave intensity / state in the digital camera device, a display unit LCD, and a key input unit. Transmission file selection means for selecting a transmission file, and determination of whether or not communication is performed using wireless LAN means or wireless communication means after completion of transmission file selection, and acquisition of radio field strength / state if used -FTP transmission processing that performs FTP transmission processing by reducing the transmission file to be transmitted according to the pre-registered reduced size when it is determined that the acquisition means and the radio wave intensity / state are other than strong 5. A communication transfer system for a digital camera device according to claim 4, further comprising execution means.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the FTP transmission of one file is completed, the radio wave intensity / state is acquired again, it is determined whether or not the reduction process is executed, and the FTP transmission process is repeated. 5. A communication transfer system for a digital camera device according to claim 4, further comprising: means.

According to the present invention, after the selection of the transmission file is completed, it is determined whether the communication is performed using the wireless LAN unit or the wireless communication unit. If the transmission file is used, the radio wave intensity / state is acquired, and the radio field intensity / state is strong. If it is determined, the mail transmission process is executed with the selected arbitrary number of files as a plurality of attached files of one mail.
When it is determined that the radio wave intensity / state is weak, a plurality of mail transmission processes are executed with an arbitrary number of selected files as one mail and one attached file. By executing the above processing, it is possible to provide a communication method in which transmission in units of one file is likely to succeed even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital camera apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera device shown in FIG. 1 includes a system bus 1, a CPU 2, and a PROM 3 for storing programs.
The digital camera device also includes a RAM 4 for a work area for programs and data, a built-in memory 5 for storing captured image files, system files, data files, and the like, and a key I / F control unit for detecting hard keys. 6 and hard keys 7 such as a shutter and a zoom key.
The digital camera device further includes a camera unit 9, a camera control unit 8 that controls the camera unit 9, and an image captured from the camera control unit 8 is compressed into JPEG or JPEG data stored in a memory. And an image compression / expansion control unit 12 for decompressing the image data.
In addition, the digital camera device includes an image control unit 10 that outputs image data from the camera control unit 8 and image data from the image compression / decompression control unit 12 to the LCD unit 11 as a video signal, and serial I / F control. Unit 13, USB I / F control unit 14, CF control unit 15, and CF I / F 16.
In addition, the digital camera device includes a modem 19 inserted into the CF I / F 16, a memory 20, a wireless LAN card 21, a wireless communication card 22, a serial cable 24 for connecting the PC 26 and the digital camera device, and a USB cable. 25, an SD control unit 17, an SD I / F 18, an SD 23 inserted into the SD I / F 18, and a LAN I / F 27 connected to the network 28.
The captured still image file is stored in the built-in memory 5, the removable memory 20, or the SD 23. The stored still image file is transmitted to the PC 26 connected via the network 28 by using the modem 19 inserted in the CF I / F 16, the wireless LAN card 21, or the wireless communication card 22. To do.
The wireless LAN card 21 or the wireless communication card 22 has a function of detecting radio wave intensity / state. When transmitting a still image file using the wireless LAN card 21 or the wireless communication card 22, the digital camera device can monitor the state of the radio wave intensity / state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a software configuration of the digital camera apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The software of the digital camera device A shown in FIG. 2 includes an application 30 and an FTP (file transfer protocol) client 31.
The software also includes mime (multipurpose Internet mail extension) 32, SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol) 33, and TCP / IP (transmission control protocol / Internet protocol) 34.
The software further includes a WLAN driver 35, a WLAN controller 36, a PPP (point-to-point protocol) / dial-up 37, and a wireless communication controller 38.
The PC terminal 41 includes an application 42, a mime 43, a POP (post office protocol) 44, a TCP / IP 45, a LAN driver 46, and a LAN controller 47. The digital camera device A, the PC terminal 41, and the mail server 48 are connected to the network 28.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, mail communication is realized using the mime 32, the SMTP 33, the TCP / IP 34, the WLAN driver 35, and the WLAN controller 36 from the application 30.
The transmitted mail is transmitted to the mail server 48. The PC terminal 41 receives mail transmitted from the mail server 48 using the mime 43, POP 44, TCP / IP 45, LAN driver 46, and LAN controller 47.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a mail communication procedure between the digital camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention and a mail server. The digital camera device A issues a connection request to the mail server 48 (FIG. 2) and waits for a connection OK to be returned.
Next, it transmits a communication start request and waits for the start OK to return. Next, issue a mail transmission start request and wait for the start OK to return. Next, send the mail address and wait for the receipt OK to return.
Next, it issues a mail body transmission request and waits for the transmission OK to return. Next, the body of the email with an arbitrary number of attached files is sent. When transmission is completed, an end notification is returned.
When mail is transmitted to a plurality of destinations, the process is repeated from the mail transmission start request. When all the mails have been sent, a communication end request is issued, and the end okay is returned.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a still image file transmission processing flow according to the first embodiment. The first embodiment of the present invention has the hardware configuration of FIG. 1, the software structure of FIG. 2, and the mail communication procedure system of FIG.
At that time, the communication transfer method of the digital camera device is configured to transfer a photographed still image file as a mail attachment file to the PC side via a network using a wireless LAN card or a wireless communication card. In this case, the user selects a transmission file using the display unit LCD and the key input unit.
In FIG. 4, it is determined whether transmission file selection is completed (S1). If completed, it is determined whether the communication is using the wireless LAN card 21 or the wireless communication card 22 (S2). Acquires the radio wave intensity / state (S3).
If it is determined that the radio wave intensity / state is strong (S4), the arbitrary number of selected files are set as a plurality of attached files of one mail (S5), and mail transmission processing is executed (S6). When it is determined that the radio wave intensity / state is weak, the selected arbitrary number of files are set as one mail and one attached file (S7), and a plurality of mail transmission processes are executed (S8).
It is determined whether or not all attached files have been transmitted (S9). If completed, the still image file transmission process is terminated. By executing the above processing, it is possible to provide a communication method that facilitates successful transmission in units of one file even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a still image file transmission processing flow according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment of the present invention has the hardware configuration of FIG. 1, the software structure of FIG. 2, and the mail communication procedure system of FIG.
At that time, the communication transfer method of the digital camera device is configured to transfer the photographed still image file as a mail attachment file to the PC side via the network using the wireless LAN card 21 or the wireless communication card 22. The In this case, the user selects a transmission file using the display unit LCD and the key input unit.
The maximum number of attached files is set in advance for each e-mail to the digital camera device A for each radio wave intensity / state. In FIG. 5, the user selects a transmission file using the display unit LCD and the key input unit. It is determined whether transmission file selection is complete (S11).
After the selection of the transmission file is completed, it is determined whether the communication is performed using the wireless LAN card 21 or the wireless communication card 22 (S12). If the communication file is used, the radio wave intensity / state is acquired (S13).
If the radio wave intensity / state is not strong (S14), it is determined whether the radio wave intensity / state is medium (S15). An attached file is set according to the maximum number of attached files of one mail corresponding to the radio wave intensity / state (S18), (S21), and a plurality of mail transmission processes are executed (S19).
It is determined whether or not all attached files have been transmitted (S20). If completed, the still image file transmission process is terminated. If the field intensity / state is strong (S14), a plurality of attached files are set (S16), and the mail transmission process is executed (S17).
By executing the above processing, it is possible to provide a communication method that facilitates successful transmission in units of one file even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition.
That is, an attached file is set according to the maximum number of attached files of one mail corresponding to the radio wave intensity / state, and a plurality of mail transmission processes are executed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a still image file transmission processing flow according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment of the present invention has the hardware configuration of FIG. 1, the software structure of FIG. 2, and the mail communication procedure system of FIG.
At that time, the communication transfer method of the digital camera device is configured to transfer the photographed still image file to the PC as an attached file of the mail via the network 28 using the wireless LAN card 21 or the wireless communication card 22. Is done. In this case, the user selects a transmission file using the display unit LCD and the key input unit.
The maximum number of attached files is set in advance for each e-mail to the digital camera device A for each radio wave intensity / state. In FIG. 6, the user selects a transmission file using the display unit LCD and the key input unit. It is determined whether transmission file selection is complete (S31).
If completed, it is determined whether the communication is using the wireless LAN card 21 or the wireless communication card 22 (S32), and if it is used, the radio wave intensity / state is acquired (S33).
If it is determined that the radio wave intensity / state is strong (S34), the arbitrary number of selected files are set as a plurality of attached files of one mail (S35), and mail transmission processing is executed (S36). When it is determined that the radio wave intensity / state is weak, the selected arbitrary number of files are set as one mail and one attached file (S37), and a plurality of mail transmission processes are executed (S38).
It is determined whether transmission of all attached files is completed (S39). If completed, the still image file transmission process is terminated. If transmission of the total number of attached files has not been completed, the radio wave state may change during this time. Therefore, the radio wave intensity / state is acquired again (S33), and it is determined whether or not one mail is one attached file. repeat.
By executing the above processing, it is possible to provide a communication method that facilitates successful transmission in units of one file even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a software configuration of a modified example of the digital camera device of the present invention.
The software of the digital camera device A shown in FIG. 7 includes an application 30, an FTP client 31, a mime 32, an SMTP 33, a TCP / IP 34, a WLAN driver 35, a WLAN controller 36, and a PPP / dial-up 37. And a wireless communication controller 38.
The PC terminal 41 includes an application 42, an FTP server 48, a TCP / IP 45, a LAN driver 46, and a LAN controller 47. The digital camera device A and the PC terminal 41 are connected to the network 28.
In the above-described modification of the present invention, communication on the client side of FTP communication is realized by using the FTP client 31, TCP / IP 34, WLAN driver 35, and WLAN controller 36 from the application 42.
The PC terminal 41 uses the FTP server 48, TCP / IP 45, LAN driver 46, and LAN controller 47 to realize FTP-side server side communication.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an FTP communication procedure between the digital camera device which is a modification of the present invention and the PC terminals 41 to N. The digital camera device A issues a connection request to the connection destination PC terminal 41 and waits for a connection OK to be returned. Next, send the user name and wait for the user name OK to return.
Next, send the password and wait for the user login OK to return. By completing the above procedure, the FTP communication connection is completed. Next, it sends a file list request and waits for the file list to return. When the file list is received, the server side requests creation of a new directory so that directory names do not overlap, and waits for a directory creation OK to be returned.
Next, a request for moving to the transfer destination directory is transmitted, and the directory move OK is returned. When the above procedure is completed, the determination and movement of the transfer destination directory of the still image file and audio file transmitted from the digital camera device A side are completed.
Next, an arbitrary number of still image files and audio files in the digital camera device A are transmitted. When transmission is completed, a disconnection request is issued and communication is terminated. The same procedure is performed for the PC terminal N.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a still image file transmission processing flow according to the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment includes the hardware configuration of FIG. 1, the software structure of FIG. 7, and the FTP communication procedure method of FIG.
In the communication transfer method of the digital camera device that uses the wireless LAN card or wireless communication card to transfer the captured still image file to the PC via the network, the display LCD and the key input unit are used. The user selects the transmission file.
It is determined whether or not a transmission file is selected (S40). If transmission file selection is completed, it is determined whether or not communication is performed using a wireless LAN card or a wireless communication card (S41). Is acquired (S42).
The radio field intensity / state is determined (S43). If the radio field intensity / state is determined to be weak, the transmission file to be transmitted is reduced (S44), and the FTP transmission process is executed (S45). In this case, the reduction includes, for example, reducing the angle of view, the magnification, and the like. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not transmission of all attached files is completed (S46). If completed, the still image file transmission process is terminated.
By executing the above processing, it is possible to provide a communication method that facilitates successful transmission in units of one file even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a still image file transmission processing flow according to the fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment includes the hardware configuration of FIG. 1, the software structure of FIG. 7, and the FTP communication procedure method of FIG.
Corresponding to the digital camera device according to the radio wave intensity / state in the communication transfer method of the digital camera device that uses the wireless LAN card or wireless communication card to transfer the captured still image file to the PC via the network via FTP Set the reduced size of the selected file in advance. The user selects a transmission file using the display unit LCD and the key input unit.
It is determined whether or not a transmission file is selected (S50). If transmission file selection is completed, it is determined whether or not communication is performed using a wireless LAN card or a wireless communication card (S51). Is acquired (S52).
It is determined whether the radio field intensity / state is strong (S53). If it is determined that the radio field intensity / state is not strong, it is further determined whether the radio field intensity / state is medium (S54). If it is determined that it is medium, the transmission file to be transmitted is reduced to 1 (S55).
If it is determined that the radio wave intensity / state is weak, the transmission file to be transmitted is reduced to 2 (S56) and FTP transmission processing is executed (S57). It is determined whether transmission of all attached files is completed (S58). If completed, the still image file transmission process is terminated. If not completed, the process returns to S53, and the state of the radio wave is determined again.
That is, when it is determined that the radio wave intensity / state is other than strong, the FTP transmission process is executed by reducing the transmission file to be transmitted in accordance with the reduction size registered in advance.
By executing the above processing, it is possible to provide a communication method that facilitates successful transmission in units of one file even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a still image file transmission process flow according to the sixth embodiment. The sixth embodiment includes the hardware configuration of FIG. 1, the software structure of FIG. 7, and the FTP communication procedure system of FIG.
In the communication transfer method of the digital camera device that uses the wireless LAN card or wireless communication card to transfer the captured still image file to the PC via the network, using the display unit LCD and the key input unit The user selects a send file.
It is determined whether or not a transmission file is selected (S60). If transmission file selection is completed, it is determined whether or not communication is performed using a wireless LAN card or a wireless communication card (S61). Is acquired (S62).
It is determined whether or not the radio field intensity / state is weak (S63). If it is determined that the radio field intensity / state is weak, the transmission file to be transmitted is reduced (S64) and the FTP transmission process is executed. (S65). It is determined whether transmission of all attached files is completed (S66). If completed, the still image file transmission process is terminated.
When the FTP transmission of one file is completed, the process returns to step 62 to acquire the radio wave intensity / state again, determine whether to execute the reduction process, and repeat the FTP transmission process. By executing the above processing, it is possible to provide a communication method that facilitates successful transmission in units of one file even when communication fails in the middle of a radio wave condition.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the hardware of the digital camera apparatus which is 1 embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the software of the digital camera apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the mail communication procedure with the digital camera apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention, and a mail server. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a still image file transmission process flow according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the still image file transmission processing flow in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the still image file transmission processing flow in 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the software of the modification of the digital camera apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the digital camera apparatus of the modification of this invention, and the FTP communication procedure of PC terminal 41-N. It is a flowchart explaining the still image file transmission processing flow in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the still image file transmission processing flow in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the still image file transmission processing flow in 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

A Digital camera device 2 CPU
7 Hard key (key input part)
11 LCD (Display LCD)
12 Image Expansion / Compression Control Unit 21 Wireless LAN Card 22 Wireless Communication Card 26 Personal Computer (PC)
28 Internet 38 Wireless communication controller 41 Personal computer terminal 47 LAN controller 48 Mail server

Claims (6)

  It has a predetermined hardware configuration, a predetermined software structure, and a predetermined mail communication procedure method. Using a wireless LAN means or a wireless communication means, a photographed still image file is transferred to the personal computer side via the network. In the communication transfer method of a digital camera device that transfers as an attached file of an email, using a display unit LCD, a transmission file selection unit for a user to select a transmission file using a key input unit, and a wireless LAN unit or a wireless communication unit A determination means for determining whether or not the communication is in progress, an acquisition means for acquiring the state of the radio wave intensity when used, and an email transmission process with a selected arbitrary number of files as a plurality of attached files of one email A mail transmission process execution means and an arbitrary number of selected files are attached to a plurality of files as one mail and one attached file. A plurality of mail transmission processing execution means for executing the mail transmission processing; and a process selection execution means for selecting one of the mail transmission execution means and the plurality of mail transmission execution means according to the radio wave intensity / state. Communication transfer method for digital camera devices.   Setting means for presetting the maximum number of attached files for each e-mail to the digital camera device according to the radio wave intensity / state, transmission file selection by which the user selects a transmission file using the display unit LCD and the key input unit After the selection of the transmission means and the transmission file, it is determined whether the communication is performed using the wireless LAN means or the wireless communication means, and if used, the determination / acquisition means for acquiring the radio wave intensity / state, 2. The communication transfer of a digital camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a mail transmission process execution means for setting an attachment file according to the maximum number of attached files of one mail corresponding to the state and executing a plurality of mail transmission processes. method.   When transmission of the total number of attached files is not completed, it has a mail transmission process repeating means for acquiring the radio wave intensity / state again, determining whether to make one mail as one attached file, and repeating the mail transmission process. The communication transfer system of the digital camera device according to claim 1.   It has a predetermined hardware configuration, a predetermined software structure, and a predetermined mail communication procedure method. Using a wireless LAN means or a wireless communication means, a photographed still image file is transferred to the personal computer side via the network. In the communication transfer method of the digital camera device for FTP transfer, a display unit LCD, a transmission file selection unit for a user to select a transmission file using a key input unit, and a wireless LAN unit or a wireless communication unit after selection of the transmission file is completed Determines whether or not the communication is using, and if it is used, the determination / acquisition means for acquiring the radio wave intensity / state, and if the radio wave intensity / state is determined to be weak, the transmission to be transmitted Communication transfer of a digital camera device having FTP transmission processing execution means for reducing the file and executing FTP transmission processing Formula.   Reduced size setting means for setting in advance a reduced size of a file corresponding to each radio wave intensity / state in the digital camera device, a display unit LCD, and a transmission file selecting means for a user to select a transmission file using a key input unit; After the selection of the transmission file is completed, it is determined whether the communication is performed using the wireless LAN unit or the wireless communication unit. If the transmission file is used, the determination / acquisition unit for acquiring the radio wave intensity / state, An FTP transmission process executing means for executing an FTP transmission process by reducing a transmission file to be transmitted according to a pre-registered reduced size when it is determined to be other than strong. 5. A communication transfer system for a digital camera device according to claim 4.   An FTP transmission processing repeating unit that, when the FTP transmission of one file is completed, obtains the radio wave intensity / state again, determines whether or not to perform the reduction processing, and repeats the FTP transmission processing. 4. A communication transfer method of the digital camera device according to 4.

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