JP2006166221A - Control method of image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus with a function of writing scanned image data to a flash memory of USB connection for relieving a complicated job to transfer data from the flash memory for the purpose of increasing a free capacity when the free capacity of the connected flash memory is deficient in the case that the apparatus is going to write the data to the flash memory. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes a USB I/F, which interfaces the USB flash memory, inquires of a user about the propriety of execution of processing for increasing the free capacity of the USB flash memory by transmitting image data in the USB flash memory in a form of mail when there is no sufficient free capacity to store all the scanned compressed image data in the USB flash memory and processing of increasing the free capacity of the USB flash memory by re-compressing the image data in the USB flash memory at a high compression rate, and executes either of the processes in compliance with an instruction of a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a storage medium, and a program, and in particular, writing scan image data to a flash memory connected to the image processing apparatus in an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, an MFP, or a facsimile. It is related with the suitable control method in.

  In an image processing apparatus having a function of writing scanned image data to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connected flash memory, if there is not enough free space in the connected flash memory when writing is attempted, the data is erased. It is necessary to increase the space. Since it is difficult to determine which data is unnecessary from the image processing apparatus, it was necessary to interrupt the work, bring back the flash memory, connect it to the PC, confirm unnecessary data on the PC, delete it, and scan again. .

In addition, when a transmission error due to the amount of email data sent by the digital copying machine occurs, the error notification email is analyzed, and if an error notification due to the email capacity is detected, the error notification email is sent. There is an apparatus that acquires an image attached to a received electronic mail, reduces the capacity by reducing the resolution, and retransmits the reduced capacity image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-125090 A

  However, the above conventional example is a control method for transmitting scanned image data as an e-mail, and is not directly applied to an image processing apparatus having a function of writing scanned image data to a USB-connected flash memory. Absent.

  Also, as described in the prior art, in an image processing apparatus having a function of writing scanned image data to a USB-connected flash memory, when the free capacity of the connected flash memory is insufficient when writing is attempted, It is necessary to erase the data to free up space. Since it is difficult to determine which data is unnecessary from the image processing apparatus, it was necessary to interrupt the work, bring back the flash memory, connect it to the PC, confirm unnecessary data on the PC, delete it, and scan again. .

  According to the present invention, if there is not enough free space in the connected USB flash memory when writing is attempted, the user is informed of whether to send high-quality compressed image data by e-mail, and the high-quality image is stored on the main memory. The compressed image data is once decompressed, re-compressed after increasing the compression rate, and the user is instructed whether to write it to the flash memory. Therefore, even when there is not enough free space, once before the image processing device It is possible to write and take it out to a USB flash memory just by going and scan, and simultaneously send high-quality image data by e-mail, so it is necessary to scan again later to obtain high-quality image data. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that improves convenience, a control method thereof, a storage medium, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a USB I / F, an image having a function of connecting a USB flash memory with the USB I / F, and writing scanned image data to the USB flash memory connected with the USB I / F. In the control method of the processing apparatus, when there is no free space to write all scanned compressed image data when writing scanned image data to a USB flash memory, high-quality compressed image data is sent by mail. In accordance with the inquiry instruction to the user, the high-quality compressed image data is temporarily decompressed on the main memory, the compression rate is increased, the image is recompressed, and the user is inquired according to the inquiry instruction. .

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus having a function of writing scanned image data to a USB-connected flash memory, when the free space of the connected USB flash memory is insufficient when writing is attempted, high image quality is achieved. The user decides whether to send the compressed image data by e-mail according to the inquiries to the user, and once decompresses the high-quality compressed image data on the main unit memory, increases the compression ratio, re-compresses it, and writes it to the flash memory. Therefore, even when there is not enough free space, you can go to the image processing device once and scan and write it to the USB flash memory and take high-quality image data at the same time. It is also possible to send e-mail, so there is no need to scan again to obtain high-quality image data later. , It is possible to provide and control the image processing apparatus with improved usability.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus has an image reading function, an image forming function, a facsimile function, and a PC print function, and includes an image sensor 301, an A / D conversion unit 302, an image processing unit 303, a RAM 304, a recording processing unit 305, and a recording device. 306, main CPU 307, image sensor control unit 308, ROM 309, communication unit 310, sensor 311, ADF motor 312, motor control unit 313, operation unit / sensor control unit 314, operation unit 315, RTC (Real Time Clock) 316, SRAM 317 , An SRAM / RTC backup circuit 318, a USB I / F 320, a BOOK motor 321, and an HDD (hard disk) 322.

  The USB flash memory 3 communicates with the image processing apparatus 2 via the USB I / F (in the USB flash memory 3) 401 and transfers data. A USB flash memory controller (not shown) in the USB flash memory 3 detects the free space of the built-in flash memory, performs read / write access control of the built-in flash memory (not shown), and performs USB I / F. Transfer control of flash memory free space information and data to be written / read is performed with the image processing apparatus 2 via 401 (in the USB flash memory 3).

  The configuration of the image processing apparatus will be described in detail. The image sensor 301 photoelectrically converts the reflected light emitted from the light source onto the document into an electric signal. The image sensor reads in color or monochrome. The A / D conversion unit 302 performs A / D conversion of the output signal of the image sensor 301. The image processing unit 303 performs image processing on the output signal of the A / D conversion unit 302, and includes an arithmetic unit for shading correction, a coding / decoding processing unit, a memory for storing image data, a luminance density conversion table, and a light source. A lighting time measurement block and the like are provided. The RAM 304 stores image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 303. The main CPU 307 is also used as a work area for controlling the image processing apparatus. An HDD (hard disk) 322 is a storage area that can be used as an image data storage and work area that does not enter the RAM 304, and is installed as necessary. The RTC 316 is used for facsimile operation, time display of the image processing apparatus, and time management. The SRAM 317 stores initial settings of the image processing apparatus and facsimile telephone number data. The SRAM / RTC backup circuit 318 is a circuit that performs backup by supplying a voltage from a built-in primary battery so that the time, initial setting, and telephone number data are not lost when AC is cut off. A recording processing unit 305 performs image processing for recording (image formation). The recording device 306 performs image recording (image formation) on recording paper. The main CPU 307 is a central processing unit that controls each part of the image processing apparatus, and executes the processing shown in the flowchart of the figure based on the control program of the present invention stored in the ROM 309 or supplied from the outside. The image sensor control unit 308 controls the image sensor 301 that reads a document based on the light source control signal, the accumulation control signal, and the sensor control signal.

  The ROM 309 stores various control programs including the control program of the present invention and fixed data. The communication unit 310 controls data communication between the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus. When it has a facsimile function, it includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) and a modem, and when it has a network connection function, it includes an NIC (Network Interface Card). The motor control unit 313 drives and controls the ADF motor 312 and the BOOK motor 321. The ADF motor 312 drives an ADF 102 (Auto Document Feeder) having a mechanism that automatically feeds a document to the reading unit of the image sensor 301 when reading a plurality of documents. The BOOK motor 312 drives a carriage (not shown) to which the image sensor 301 is fixed when reading a document placed on the document table 103. The operation unit / sensor control unit 314 controls input / output of signals to / from the operation unit 315 and the sensor 311. The sensor 311 detects the presence or absence of a document or recording paper at the time of reading or recording, and detects the opening / closing of a pressure plate or the presence or absence of a document. The operation unit 315 includes input means for inputting various data and various settings, and display means for performing various displays.

  More specifically, the power supply is supplied to each block (image sensor 301 and the like) of the image processing apparatus from a PSU (not shown) (Power Supply Unit). Each block of the image processing apparatus is coupled by an electric signal line and can transmit data. The main CPU 307 is controlled by reading a program from the ROM 309 and executing it.

  The image processing apparatus performs an initial operation after the power is turned on. When the image processing apparatus is in an operating state, the user operates the operation unit of the image processing apparatus, so that the image processing apparatus has a copy function, a facsimile function, a mail transmission function, and a scan function. Can be used, and a setting mode for various operations in the image processing apparatus can be instructed. Further, when connected to the PC 4 via the LAN 7, it operates as a PC printer by receiving print data from the PC. When connected to a print server (not shown) via the LAN 7, the printer operates as a PC printer by receiving print data transferred from the PC to the print server. Further, at the time of mail transmission, it is possible to transmit the scanned image data from the communication unit 310 to the SMTP server 5 via the LAN 7 as an electronic mail with an attached file. When receiving mail, the received mail can be fetched from the POP server 6 from the communication unit 310 via the LAN 7 and the received electronic mail can be printed. Communication via the LAN 7 is performed by an appropriate protocol. Further, it is possible to connect to a public telephone network (not shown) (PSTN) (Public Switched Telephone Network) via the communication unit 310 and perform facsimile transmission / reception operations.

  An example of normal operation will be described. For example, a case will be described in which an image processing apparatus performs monochrome copying for reading an image from a document and forming an image on recording paper. A user loads a document on the BOOK document table 103 of the image processing apparatus 2 and instructs a BOOK copy from the operation unit. The carriage to which the image sensor 301 is fixed is a movable type that is coupled to the motor by a gear and a belt, and the main CPU 307 conveys the carriage to the white reference plate and acquires data for black shading and white shading. In this example, the document is read at a density of 600 dpi from the front end to the end in the longitudinal direction. A 10-bit read value obtained by A / D converting the output of the image sensor 301 by the A / D conversion unit 302 is stored for white shading correction and black shading correction by an arithmetic unit in the image processing unit 303.

  After the shading correction data is acquired, the carriage is transported to the home position, and then the carriage is transported again in the original direction. Time is measured with a clock, and when a predetermined time elapses, the main CPU 307 determines that the image sensor 301 has reached the document leading edge position, and starts reading processing by the image sensor 301.

  The read value for one line read by the image sensor 301 is normalized by the following expression using the white shading correction value and the black shading correction value at the corresponding pixel position, respectively, and the number of processing gradations (for example, 8-bit gradation) ) To obtain the luminance of each pixel.

Luminance value = 255 x (reading value-black shading value) / (white shading value-black shading value)
When converting the brightness value obtained by the above calculation into a density value, the brightness value obtained is converted into a corresponding density value by referring to a brightness density conversion table (not shown). Then, multi-value → binarization processing is performed on the density value. There are various multi-value-to-binarization processing methods. In the error diffusion method, the middle value of the gradation (127 for 256 gradations) is used as a threshold for the density value of the pixel of interest, and black is determined if the threshold value is exceeded. If it is less than the threshold, it is determined to be white. At this time, the binarization process is performed while assigning the difference between the density value of the pixel of interest and the density value of black (density 255) or white (density 0) as an error and distributing to the surrounding pixels with a constant distribution. The obtained binary image data is used as image data for communication for transmission from the image processing apparatus to an external apparatus, or image data for recording (image formation) processing in the image processing apparatus.

  In this example, one page of A4 size image data is stored in the RAM 304. That is, 600 × 600 dpi image data processed by the image processing unit 303 is stored in the RAM 304. When storing the image data in the RAM 304 and when transferring the image data from the RAM 304 to the recording processing unit 305, the image data can be compressed / decompressed by an appropriate compression / decompression method. The image data is transferred from the RAM 304 to the recording processing unit 305, and after the recording processing unit 305 performs recording image processing, the recording device 306 records an image on recording paper. The recording processing unit 305 converts the image data into 1200 × 1200 dpi image data and performs a smoothing process.

  When the recording device 306 is a laser beam printer, for example, the laser beam of the laser generator in the laser beam printer is turned ON / OFF according to the image data transmitted from the recording processing unit 305. The polygon mirror in the laser beam printer is controlled to rotate at a constant speed, and the laser beam is reflected by the polygon mirror and irradiated in the main scanning direction on the photosensitive drum charged by the charger. By neutralizing the charge, an electrostatic latent image for one main scan is formed. A toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by a developing device, the toner is transferred onto the recording paper by a transfer device, and the recording paper is separated by a static elimination needle, and then the toner on the recording paper by a fixing device. To fix. Further, after the transfer of the toner onto the recording paper, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is removed by a cleaner blade. By this procedure, printing is performed on the recording paper.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  Details of the control method in the image processing apparatus, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 2 is executed by the main CPU 307 of the image processing apparatus based on a program. It is also executed based on a program built in the USB flash controller.

  First, the image processing device is initialized after the power is turned on, and all functions as an image processing device can be used. For example, the image processing device is in a standby state where copy, facsimile, PC printer, scanner, mail function, etc. can be used. Suppose that the USB flash memory 3 is inserted into the USB flash memory connection port 104, the USB flash memory 3 is connected to the USB I / F 320, negotiates with the image processing apparatus 2, and the connection is normally detected.

  Steps S201 to S209, which will be described later, are important points of the present invention. Of particular importance are steps S206, S208, and S209.

  A user places an original on the ADF 102 or BOOK original table 103 of the image processing apparatus 2, operates the operation panel 101, designates the scan image data writing destination in the already connected USB flash memory 3, and sets the image size and resolution. It is assumed that the compression rate, the number of bits per pixel, color or monochrome reading, file format, etc. are instructed and the scan start button is pressed. (Step S201).

  First, the image processing apparatus 2 communicates with the USB flash memory 3 to confirm the free capacity of the USB-connected flash memory. For example, it is assumed that the total capacity of the USB flash memory 3 is 32 MB and the free capacity is 1 MB. (Step S202).

  Thereafter, the main CPU 307 determines whether the document is placed on the ADF from the sensor 311 via the operation unit / sensor control unit 314 in order to determine whether the document is scanned from the ADF or the BOOK document table 103. If the document is placed on the ADF, the process proceeds to step S204 to scan from the ADF 102. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S205 to perform scanning from the BOOK original table 103. Here, whether the ADF or the BOOK original table is scanned is stored in the RAM 304. (Step S203).

  In step S <b> 204, the main CPU 307 controls the ADF motor 312 via the motor control unit 313 and detects the state of the sensor 311 via the operation unit / sensor control unit 314, so that all the originals stacked on the ADF 103 are detected. Are scanned one by one, and the image processing unit 303 performs appropriate shading correction, resolution conversion processing, filtering processing on the read data input from the image sensor 301 to the A / D conversion unit 302, and multi-value to binary as necessary. By performing necessary image processing such as conversion processing and performing encoding processing, image data obtained by scanning with the instructed compression rate and resolution is stored in the RAM 304. For example, scan 3 A4-size originals and read RGB color at 1 bit per pixel (ie, 3 bits per pixel are required), resolution 300 * 300 dpi, compression rate approx. 1/7, encoding and file format JPEG Suppose you are instructed. For example, JPEG (Joint Photograph Expert Group) is available as an image encoding method. In JPEG, an image of one screen is divided into blocks of 8 pixels × 8 pixels, converted into a frequency domain by two-dimensional discrete cosine transform (DCT) in units of blocks, and the conversion coefficients are quantized and Huffman encoded. The amount of data after compression strongly depends on the spatial frequency characteristics of the image and the quantization coefficient. Therefore, even with the same quantization coefficient, the amount of data after compression differs depending on the image to be compressed. This means that the image can be compressed according to the expected compression rate depending on the image. It is possible to change the compression ratio by changing the quantization coefficient.

In the uncompressed state, if the A4 size is 210 * 297 mm, the amount of image data is about 3.1 Mbytes per sheet. For example, 0.5 Mbytes, 0.4 Mbytes, and 0.4 Mbytes of image data are compressed by JPEG. Suppose that it was obtained. Then, the size of image data obtained by scanning all images is 1.3 Mbytes. Three images and 1.3 Mbytes of image data are stored in the RAM 304. If the capacity of the RAM 304 is insufficient, it can be stored in the HDD 322. Then, control goes to a step S206. (Step S204)
In step S <b> 205, the main CPU 307 controls the BOOK motor 321 via the motor control unit 313 and detects the state of the sensor 311 via the operation unit / sensor control unit 314, thereby allowing one document on the BOOK document table 103 to be printed. The image data obtained by scanning and scanning at the specified compression rate and resolution is stored in the RAM 304 or the HDD 322 in the same manner as described above. If there is a document for the next page, the user gives a scan instruction after exchanging the original, and if the scan for all pages is completed, the user gives an instruction to end the original. Then, control goes to a step S206. (Step S205)
In step S206, all the scanned compressed image data is compared with the free space of the USB flash memory acquired in step S202, and it is determined whether the compressed image data can be written to the USB flash memory 3. If the free space of the USB flash memory is larger than the compressed image data, the process proceeds to step S207 for writing. Otherwise, since it cannot be written as it is, the routine proceeds to step S208. For example, if the compressed image data is 1.3 Mbytes and the free space in the USB flash memory is 1 Mbytes, the USB flash memory has less free space than the compressed image data, and the process proceeds to step S208. (Step S206)
In step S207, all scanned compressed image data is transferred to the USB flash memory 3 via the USB I / F 320 and written. In this case, since the free space of the USB flash memory is larger than the compressed image data, writing can be performed with the resolution and compression rate specified by the user. Then, the process proceeds to end processing. (Step S207)
In step S208, since there is not enough free space in the USB flash memory, the user inquires from the display device of the operation panel 101 whether to send the compressed image data by e-mail. Follow. For example, the message “Cannot write because there is not enough free space on the USB flash memory. Would you like to send mail instead?” Is displayed, and affirmative or negative is entered by pressing a key on the operation panel. When a negative operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S209. When an affirmative operation is performed, the user is prompted to input a mail address, adds mail address information instructed by the user from the operation panel, and sends an email with compressed image data as an attachment to the SMTP server 5 via the LAN 7. Then, the data is transmitted via the communication unit 310. Then, the process proceeds to step S209. (Step S208)
In step S209, since the compressed image data cannot be written to the USB flash memory 3, the user is asked whether to decompress the compressed image data, increase the compression rate, recompress it, and write it to the USB flash memory 3. An inquiry is made from the display device, and an instruction input by the user from the operation panel 101 is followed. For example, the message “Cannot export because there is not enough free space on the USB flash memory. Would you like to export image data with a higher compression rate instead?” Is displayed, and affirmative or negative is entered by pressing a key on the operation panel. . When a negative operation is performed, the process proceeds to an end process. When an affirmative operation is performed, the compressed image data stored in the RAM 304 in the image processing unit 303 in the image processing apparatus 2 is once expanded into raw data and stored in the RAM 304. Here, if necessary, the main CPU 307 can perform decompression processing, save raw data in the HDD 322, and use it as a work area. Then, the expanded raw data is encoded with the compression rate increased again and stored in the RAM 304 or the HDD 322. Here, the compression rate at the time of recompression may be instructed by the user, or the image processing apparatus 2 may automatically calculate by calculating from the free space of the USB flash memory 3 and the initially obtained image data amount. good. When JPEG-encoded image data is decompressed and the compression rate is increased and recompressed, JPEG is an irreversible encoding, so the image quality will be slightly degraded. However, the user can set the original again and increase the compression rate. In consideration of the case where the document is scanned again, considering the case where the document is stacked on the ADF 102 and rescanned, or the case where the document is set on the BOOK document table 103 one by one, the recompression is more convenient. high. For example, assume that the compression rate is increased from about 1/7 to about 1/10. Assume that the image data of 0.5 Mbytes, 0.4 Mbytes, and 0.4 Mbytes are converted into 0.35 Mbytes, 0.28 Mbytes, and 0.28 Mbytes of image data by recompression. Then, the size of all the image data is 0.91 Mbytes. In the example, since the free space of the USB flash memory 3 is 1 MB, the free space of the USB flash memory is larger than the recompressed image data, so that data can be written to the USB flash memory 3. All the recompressed image data is transferred to the USB flash memory 3 via the USB I / F 320 and written. Then, the process proceeds to end processing. Even if recompression is performed, if the free space of the USB flash memory is smaller than the recompressed image data, the compression can be repeated by increasing the compression rate as necessary. (Step S209)
In the end processing, after disconnecting from the USB flash memory 3 via the USB I / F 320, the operation unit is notified that the USB flash memory can be removed, and the user enters desired image data as necessary. The USB flash memory 3 can be removed from the USB flash memory connection port 104 and taken out. Even when the free space is insufficient, the USB flash memory containing the image data can be taken out only by going to the image processing apparatus once and performing a scanning operation as needed.

  In step S208, it is assumed that the user has instructed to send high-quality scanned image data originally desired by e-mail. At this time, it is assumed that the user designates the mail address of the PC 4 owned by the user. The SMTP server transfers the e-mail to the POP server 6 having the domain of the user's mail address. The user takes out the image data from the USB flash memory as necessary, and then returns to his / her seat and accesses the POP server 6 from his / her PC 4 via the LAN 7 to obtain high-quality compressed image data. You can receive an email as an attachment. In this way, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain the desired high-quality scanned image data without having to scan again to obtain high-quality image data later, and the convenience is enhanced.

  The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. A medium such as a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the medium in the storage medium or the like. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the medium such as a storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the medium such as the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. . Examples of a medium such as a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM. Alternatively, download via a network can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read out by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from a medium such as a storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control method of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is an external view of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Operation panel 102 ADF
103 BOOK Document Plate 104 USB Flash Memory Connection Port 1 Main Controller 2 Image Processing Device 3 USB Flash Memory 4 PC
5 SMTP server 6 POP server 7 LAN
301 Image sensor (reading means)
302 A / D converter (A / D converter)
303 Image processing unit 304 RAM (including image memory)
305 Recording processing unit 306 Recording device 307 Main CPU (control means)
308 Image sensor controller (control means)
309 ROM
310 communication unit 311 sensor 312 ADF motor 313 motor control unit 314 operation unit / sensor control unit 315 operation unit 316 RTC
317 SRAM
318 SRAM / RTC backup circuit 320 USB I / F (in the image processing apparatus 2)
321 ADF motor 401 USB I / F (in USB flash memory 3)

Claims (1)

In a control method of an image processing apparatus having a USB I / F, having a function of connecting a USB flash memory with a USB I / F and writing scanned image data to a USB flash memory connected with a USB I / F.
When writing scanned image data to USB flash memory, if there is not enough free space to write all scanned compressed image data, follow the inquiry instruction to the user whether to send high-quality compressed image data by e-mail And a method of controlling the image reading apparatus, wherein the compressed image data with high image quality is temporarily expanded on the main body memory, the compression rate is increased, the image data is recompressed, and written to the flash memory.

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