JP2010114704A - Original reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original reader capable of adjusting the data size of a selected area in original data when the size of the original data exceeds a predetermined reference data size. <P>SOLUTION: The original reader 1 includes: a setting part 120 for setting a reference data size; an original reading part 110 for reading an original; a storing part 130 for storing the original data; a display part 140 for displaying the original data; an area separating part 150 for separating the original data into areas; a calculating part 160 for calculating area data sizes and the whole data size; a comparing part 170 for comparing the whole data size with the reference data size; a selecting part 155 for selecting an area; an adjusting part 180 for adjusting the area data size; and a communicating part 190 for transmitting the data to an external device 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading device that reads a document placed on a document placement table.

  An original reading apparatus that includes an original placing table and reads an original placed on the original placing table includes a communication unit for transmitting the read original data to an external device, and the external device via a network such as a LAN from the communication unit Connected. Then, in the connected external device, the document data transmitted from the document reading device is processed and used for the user.

  Since the document reader reads various documents, the size of the read document data varies. When the size of the read original data is large, when the original data is flowed to the network, there is a problem that data traffic increases and the performance of the entire system is deteriorated.

Therefore, when the data to be transmitted exceeds the predetermined reference data size, the substitute data is created by processing this data into data having a size smaller than the reference value, and the original data before being processed A technique for transmitting this alternative data instead of data is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-235530 A

  If the alternative data is transmitted to the external device by the technique of Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent an increase in data traffic, and thus it is possible to prevent a decrease in the performance of the entire system.

  However, if the document read by the document reader is larger than the reference data size, the substitute data is automatically created, so the user cannot know the data adjustment contents, and the data size Since important items that do not want to be changed are also adjusted arbitrarily, there is a problem that the image changes to an unintentional image.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a document reading apparatus capable of adjusting the data size of a selected area in document data when the document data exceeds a predetermined reference data size. There is to do.

  The document reading apparatus of the present invention includes a document placement table on which a document is placed, a setting unit for setting a reference data size indicating an allowable size of the document data when sending document data to an external device, and the document placement A document reading unit that reads a document placed on a table; a storage unit that stores document data of a document read by the document reading unit; a display unit that displays the document data stored in the storage unit; An area separation unit that separates the document data displayed on the display unit; a calculation unit that calculates a region data size for each region of the document data separated by the region separation unit and a total data size of the document data; A comparison unit that compares the total data size calculated by the calculation unit with the reference data size, and the comparison result of the comparison unit indicates that the total data size is the basic data size. A selection unit for selecting the region when the data size is larger than the data size; and for adjusting the region data size of the region selected by the selection unit so that the overall data size is equal to or smaller than the reference data size. An adjustment unit; and a communication unit configured to transmit document data adjusted by the adjustment unit to be equal to or smaller than the reference data size to the external device.

  In this configuration, when the document data to be transmitted to the external device is larger than the reference data size, an area where the user may adjust data and an area where data adjustment is not desired in the document data can be arbitrarily divided. it can. By reducing the size of the document data by adjusting only the areas where data adjustment is possible, the document data can be transmitted to an external device without degrading the image quality of important items in the document data. Can do.

  It is preferable that the display unit displays a boundary image indicating a boundary between regions of the document data separated by the region separation unit on the document data.

  In this configuration, since the boundary between the regions becomes clear in the document data separated from each other, the region where data adjustment may be performed and the region where data adjustment is not desired can be accurately separated.

  It is preferable that the display unit displays a property including a region characteristic and the region data size for each region of the document data separated in the region separation unit.

  In this configuration, the properties including the area characteristics and area data size are displayed for each area, so it is obvious which area has the largest data size, and you want to adjust the area and data that can be adjusted. It can be used as an index when dividing an area that is not present.

  It is preferable that the display unit displays an image after being adjusted by the adjustment unit.

  In this configuration, since it can be seen how much the image quality of the area where the data adjustment has been performed is deteriorated, the data can be adjusted according to the deterioration of the image quality.

  The calculation unit calculates a difference between the overall data size and the reference data size, and the display unit preferentially adjusts an area having a large area data size when the difference is a predetermined value or more. When the difference is less than a predetermined value, it is preferable to display so as to preferentially adjust the area having a small area data size.

  If the difference between the total data size and the reference data size is greater than or equal to the specified value, the entire data size will not fit within the reference data size even if only the small data size area is adjusted. By displaying so as to adjust, it is possible to prompt the user to preferentially adjust the area having a large data size. Also, if the difference between the total data size and the reference data size is less than the predetermined value, adjusting the large data size area may reduce the data size more than necessary, so give priority to the small data size area. By displaying so as to adjust, it is possible to prompt the user to preferentially adjust the area having a small data size.

  The document reading apparatus according to the present invention can adjust the data size of the selected area in the document data when the document data exceeds a predetermined reference data size.

  Hereinafter, a document reading apparatus according to the best embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a cover open state of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The document reading device 1 includes a document reading unit 110, a document tray 2 on which a plurality of documents are stacked and placed, a discharge tray 3 on which image information read documents are stacked and discharged, and a single-sided document reading from one side. Is provided with an intermediate tray 8 on which originals having been read with the image information are once conveyed.

  The document reading unit 110 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) reading unit 11, and an image of a document placed on the first document placement table 12 and supported by a plane is fixed at a fixed position by the light source unit 13 and the mirror unit 14. An image is formed on the provided CCD reading unit 11 to perform reading processing. The CCD reading unit 11 includes an imaging lens and a CCD image sensor.

  The light source unit 13 passes through a light source that emits illumination light, a reflector that collects illumination light from the light source at a predetermined reading position on the first document table 12, a slit that allows only reflected light from the document to pass through, and a slit. A mirror that deflects the optical path of the reflected light by 90 degrees is mounted. The mirror unit 14 is mounted with a pair of mirrors that deflect the optical path of the reflected light from the light source unit 13 by 180 degrees.

  In the stationary reading mode, the light source unit 13 is moved at a speed V and the mirror unit 14 is moved back and forth in the sub-scanning direction on the lower surface of the first document placing table 12 so that the document on the first document placing table 12 is scanned. The reflected light on the entire image surface is guided to the CCD reading unit 11 while maintaining the optical path length constant.

  In the static reading mode, the CCD reading unit 11 is a sub-scanning optical system unit equipped with a CCD image sensor, an imaging lens, and a light source, or a unit of the same magnification reading optical system at a speed V, and is subordinately mounted on the lower surface of the first document table 12. A structure that reciprocates in the scanning direction may be used.

  The document reading unit 110 is provided with a second document placement table 16 that is separated from the first document placement table 12 by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction. In the conveyance reading mode using the document reading device 1, the light source unit 13 stops at the image reading position P <b> 1 facing the second document placing table 16.

  The document reading apparatus 1 is arranged with the upper surfaces of the first document placing table 12 and the second document placing table 16 being openable and closable.

  A document conveyance path H1 including a pickup roller 4, a feeding roller 5A, a separation roller 5B, and conveyance rollers R1 to R5 is formed between the document tray 2 and the discharge tray 3 via the document reading position P1. Yes. Further, a sub-transport path H2 is configured to connect the intermediate tray 8 to a merging position P2 between the document tray 2 and the image reading position P1 in the document transport path H1. A discharge roller R6 and a transport roller R7 are arranged in the sub transport path H2.

  The pickup roller 4, the feeding roller 5 </ b> A, and the separating roller 5 </ b> B are supported by the lid body 9. The lid 9 swings with the left side in FIG. 1 as a hinge, and opens and closes the upper part of the document transport path H1.

  At the time of single-sided document reading for reading image information from only one side of the document, the document fed out by the rotation of the pickup roller 4 in contact with the uppermost surface of the document placed on the document tray 2 is rotated by the rotation of the feed roller 5A. Guided into the transport path H1. At this time, the original roller other than the uppermost original is returned into the original tray 2 by the separating roller 5B that rotates in the same direction as the feeding roller 5A, and only the uppermost original is supplied to the original conveyance path. It is sent out in H1.

  The document sent out from the document tray 2 is conveyed toward the image reading position P1 in the document conveyance path H1 at a predetermined timing by the rotation of the conveyance rollers R1 and R2. While the document passes through the image reading position P1, image information is read by the CCD reading unit 11 of the document reading unit 110 including the light source unit 13 stopped below the image reading position P1. The document from which the image information has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 3 by the rotation of the transport roller R4 and the discharge roller R5.

  When reading double-sided originals that read image information from both sides of the original, one original sent into the original transport path H1 is read from one side at the image reading position P1 in the same way as when reading single-sided originals. Then, it is guided into the sub-transport path H2 via the transport roller R4, and is sent out onto the intermediate tray 8 by the rotation of the discharge roller R6. The discharge roller R6 rotates in the reverse direction with the trailing edge of the document held therebetween, and the rotation of the discharge roller R6 and the conveyance roller R7 causes the document to merge in the sub-conveyance path H2 with the front and rear ends in the conveyance direction reversed. It is conveyed toward the position P2.

  The document that has been transported through the sub transport path H2 and has reached the merge position P2 is transported again toward the image reading position P1 through the document transport path H1. At this time, the surface opposite to the surface from which the image information has been previously read faces the light source unit 13 stopped below the image reading position P1, and the image information is read from this surface. The document whose image information has been read from both sides is discharged to the discharge tray 3 by the rotation of the transport roller R4 and the discharge roller R5.

  A document sensor 6 is arranged on the downstream side of the document conveyance path H1 immediately adjacent to the merging position P2. The document sensor 6 detects a document conveyed from the document tray 2 and the intermediate tray 8 and passing through the document conveyance path H1.

  A document size sensor 7 is disposed at a position biased to the front side in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the document transport direction between the document tray 1 and the merge position P2 in the document transport path H1. The document size sensor 7 detects the edge position of the document conveyed from the document tray 2 in the main scanning direction.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The document reading device 1 displays a document reading unit 110 that reads a document placed on the first document placing table 12 and a document that passes through the second document placing table 16, and document data of the document read by the document reading unit 110. The display unit 140 includes a control unit 200 that is connected to the communication unit 190 that transmits document data to the external device 300, the document reading unit 110, the display unit 140, and the communication unit 190, and controls the respective units. Here, the external device 300 refers to a PC, for example.

  In addition, the document reading apparatus 1 includes a drive unit for driving each unit that is driven when the document is transported from the document tray 2 to the discharge tray 3 and a second control unit for controlling the drive unit. However, the description and illustration are omitted here.

  The control unit 200 stores the document data of the document read by the document reading unit 110 and the setting unit 120 that sets the reference data size indicating the allowable size of the document data when transmitting the document data to the external device 300. Part 130 and a selection part 155 for selecting the separated area. The CPU 100 is connected to the setting unit 120, the storage unit 130, and the selection unit 155, and controls each unit in an overall manner.

  The CPU 100 includes a region separation unit 150 that separates document data displayed on the display unit 140, a calculation unit that calculates a region data size for each region of the document data separated by the region separation unit 150 and a total data size of the document data. 160, in order to adjust the area data size of the area selected by the selection unit 155 so that the total data size calculated by the calculation unit 160 and the reference data size are equal to or smaller than the reference data size. The adjustment unit 180 is provided. The area separation unit 150, the calculation unit 160, the comparison unit 170, and the adjustment unit 180 execute their functions according to programs, and these programs are built in the CPU 100 or stored in a memory (not shown) connected to the CPU 100. Yes.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the control unit in the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Before processing the document data, the user performs presetting such as setting of the transmission destination of the document data, setting of the reference data size, and setting of the color tone of the boundary image at the time of the region separation in the setting unit 120 (S10). When the presetting is completed, the original is read by the original reading device 1 (S20), or the original data stored in the storage unit 130 is read in advance (S25). When the original is read, the original data is stored in the storage unit 130 (S30).

  The document data for transmission is displayed on the display unit 140 (S40). Then, the document data is separated for each region by the region separation unit 150 (S50). Specifically, data indicating the type of area (area type data) is arranged on the memory in correspondence with the original data, and the coordinates at which the value of the area type data changes are applied to each edge by applying an edge extraction method. Extract as the boundary of the region. Since the boundary portion has a shape surrounding each region, the region inside the boundary portion is detected as a closed region, the detected closed region is identified as each region, and the calculation unit 160 determines the region data size and the region data size. The total data size of the document data is calculated (S60).

  The comparison unit 170 compares the overall data size calculated by the calculation unit 160 with the reference data size. If the total data size is equal to or smaller than the reference data size as a result of the comparison, the document data is transmitted to the external device 300 by the communication unit 190 (S80). If the total data size is larger than the reference data size, it is necessary to process the document data to make it equal to or smaller than the reference data size, so the user manually adjusts the document data (S90) or performs automatic adjustment. Select (S100). This selection may be performed in advance by the setting unit 120.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the control unit in the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart when manual adjustment (S90) is selected when the total data size is larger than the reference data size.

  When the manual adjustment is selected, the display unit 140 displays a boundary image indicating a boundary between the regions of the document data subjected to the region separation in the region separation unit 150 so as to be superimposed on the document data (S110). At this time, this boundary image is shown in the color tone set in S10. Then, the display unit 140 displays properties such as characteristics (character or image type) and size for each region of the document data that has been separated by the region separation unit 150 (S120).

  Thereafter, the user selects an area for data adjustment in the selection unit 155 (S130). Then, the selected area is extracted and enlarged, and at the same time, a data size adjustment switch (data, number of colors, resolution) is displayed on the display unit. Then, the user manually adjusts the data of the selected area (S140). When the data adjustment is completed and the OK key is pressed (S150), the display unit 140 displays the entire document data including the data adjusted area (S160).

  If the total data size after the data adjustment is equal to or smaller than the reference data size, an OK key and a cancel key are displayed on the display unit 140 (S170). Here, when the OK key is pressed (S180), the communication unit 190 transmits the document data whose data has been adjusted to the external device 300 (S190). At the same time, the storage unit 130 stores the document data whose data has been adjusted.

  If the cancel key is pressed without pressing the OK key in S150 (S200), the contents of the data adjustment are reset and the process returns to the area selection in S130. If the cancel key is pressed without pressing the OK key in S180 (S210), the data adjustment contents are reset and the process returns to S130 area selection.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing display contents on the display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 6 shows the display unit 140 when the property is displayed in S120. On the upper part of the display unit 140, a data tab indicating the entire data size of the document data and a reference data tab indicating the reference data size set in S10 are displayed. In FIG. 6, since the overall data size is larger than the reference data size, the color of the data tab is inverted to indicate this to the user.

  In addition, a boundary image showing a boundary between regions of the document data is shown between the regions. In this embodiment, the color tone is set in S10 to distinguish the character area from the image area, but in FIG. 6, it is indicated by a broken line and an alternate long and short dash line for easy understanding. Furthermore, properties are displayed adjacent to each area so that the characteristics and size of each area can be understood.

  Here, if the difference between the reference data size and the overall data size is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 2 MB), numbers are assigned in order from the region with the largest data size. If the difference between the reference data size and the overall data size is less than a predetermined value, numbers are assigned in order from the smallest data size area. In the display, a time difference is provided and displayed one by one in the order of the numbers, and an area for adjusting the data size is guided to the user. By displaying in this way, the data size can be adjusted efficiently. If the data size does not need to be adjusted much, if the large size area is preferentially adjusted, the data size may become too small, and if the data size is adjusted a little more (for example, 100 KB), the overall data size will be the standard. This is because if the area of the large size is preferentially displayed when the data size is less than or equal to the data size, it is necessary to skip within the area until small data is displayed, which is inefficient.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing display contents on the display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 shows the display unit 140 when the user adjusts data in S140. Here, the area selected in S <b> 130 is extracted, enlarged, and displayed on the display unit 140. In addition, a data tab, a color number tab, and a resolution tab are displayed as data size adjustment switches, and the data size of the area can be adjusted by changing the numerical value for each item. When the numerical value of the data tab is changed, the change is reflected in the numerical value of the color number tab and the numerical value of the resolution tab. If you change the value on the Color tab, the change is reflected in the value on the Data tab. When the value on the resolution tab is changed, the change is reflected on the value on the data tab. That is, when adjusting the number of colors and the resolution, the numerical value of the data tab may be adjusted. When adjusting only the number of colors or only the resolution, the corresponding numerical value may be adjusted.

  When the data adjustment is completed and the OK key is pressed, the changed contents are reflected in the entire data size. If the cancel key is pressed, the change contents are reset and the display contents shown in FIG. 6 are restored.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing display contents on the display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 shows the display unit 140 when the document data after data adjustment is displayed in S160. Here, the entire document data including the data-adjusted area is displayed. The size of the document data is reflected in the overall data size. If the total data size is equal to or smaller than the reference data size, an OK key is displayed. By pressing the OK key, original data after data adjustment is transmitted to the external device 300. If the total data size is larger than the standard data size, the “Continue Edit” key is displayed. By pressing the “Continue Edit” key, you can further select the area while maintaining the data adjustment contents and adjust the data. Do. A cancel key is displayed regardless of the overall data size, and the data adjustment content is reset by pressing the cancel key, and a new area is selected to perform data adjustment.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the control unit in the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart when the automatic adjustment (S100) is selected when the entire data size is larger than the reference data size.

  When the automatic adjustment is selected, the display unit 140 displays a boundary image indicating the boundary between the regions of the document data that has been subjected to the region separation by the region separation unit 150 so as to be superimposed on the document data (S310). At this time, this boundary image is shown in the color tone set in S10. Then, the display unit 140 displays properties such as characteristics (character or image type) and size for each region of the document data that has been separated by the region separation unit 150 (S320).

  Thereafter, the user selects an area for data protection (S330). Here, a plurality of areas can be selected. When the selection of the area for data protection is completed and the OK key is pressed (S340), the selected area is displayed on the display unit 140 so that it can be confirmed (S350). When the OK key is pressed on this confirmation screen (S360), the adjustment unit 180 automatically adjusts the data (S370), and the original data after the data adjustment is displayed on the display unit 140 (S375).

  If the total data size after the data adjustment is equal to or smaller than the reference data size, an OK key and a cancel key are displayed on the display unit 140 (S380). Here, when the OK key is pressed (S390), the communication unit 190 transmits the document data whose data has been adjusted to the external device 300 (S400). At the same time, the storage unit 130 stores the document data whose data has been adjusted.

  If the cancel key is pressed without pressing the OK key in S360 (S410), the adjustment contents adjusted in the data are reset and the process returns to the area selection in S330. If the cancel key is pressed without pressing the OK key in S390 (S420), the adjustment contents adjusted in the data are reset and the process returns to the area selection in S330.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing display contents on the display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 10 shows contents displayed on the display unit 140 when an area is selected in S330. The display of various tabs, boundary images, and properties is the same as in FIG. In S330, unlike S130, it is possible to select a plurality of areas at a time, so when the selection of the area is completed, the OK key displayed on the display unit 140 is pressed. In the present embodiment, an area can be selected by the first touch, and the area can be deselected by touching the selected area once more.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing display contents on the display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the display contents of the display unit 140 when the OK key is pressed in S340 and the process proceeds to S350. Here, the selected area is displayed as a preview and properties relating to the protected area are displayed. Check the contents and press the OK key to adjust the data, or press the cancel key to redo the area selection.

  In the present embodiment, a single page process is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. When processing a plurality of pages, the same processing as in the present embodiment is performed for each page.

  Further, although “>” is used in S70 of FIG. 4, S170 of FIG. 5, and S380 of FIG. 9 of the present embodiment, the present invention can be realized even if “≧” is used instead. That is, when “>” is used in the embodiment, the reference data in the claim and the reference data in the embodiment are the same value, and when “≧” is used in the embodiment, the reference data in the claim is The value is smaller than the reference data in the form.

  Further, the reference data in the claims and the reference data in the embodiments are not necessarily the same value.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the cover open state of the original document reading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a control unit in the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a control unit in the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing display contents on a display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing display contents on a display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing display contents on a display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a control unit in the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing display contents on a display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing display contents on a display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1-Document Reading Device 12-First Document Placement Table 16-Second Document Placement Table 110-Document Reading Unit 120-Setting Unit 130-Storage Unit 140-Display Unit 150-Area Separation Unit 155-Selection Unit 160-Calculation Unit 170 -Comparison unit 180-Adjustment unit 190-Communication unit 300-External device

Claims (5)

An original table on which an original is placed;
A setting unit for setting a reference data size indicating an allowable size of the document data when transmitting the document data to an external device;
A document reading unit that reads a document placed on the document placement table;
A storage unit for storing document data of a document read by the document reading unit;
A display unit for displaying the document data stored in the storage unit;
An area separation unit for separating the document data displayed on the display unit;
A calculation unit for calculating an area data size for each area of the document data separated by the area separation unit and an overall data size of the document data;
A comparison unit that compares the overall data size calculated by the calculation unit with the reference data size;
A selection unit for selecting the region when the overall data size is larger than the reference data size in the comparison result of the comparison unit;
An adjustment unit for adjusting the region data size of the region selected by the selection unit in order to make the overall data size equal to or less than the reference data size;
A communication unit that transmits document data that has been adjusted by the adjustment unit to be equal to or smaller than the reference data size to the external device;
A document reading apparatus comprising:   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a boundary image indicating a boundary between regions of the document data separated by the region separation unit on the document data.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a property including a region characteristic and the region data size for each region of the document data separated by the region separation unit.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an image after being adjusted by the adjustment unit. The calculation unit calculates a difference between the overall data size and the reference data size,
When the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the display unit displays the area having a larger area data size with priority, and when the difference is less than the predetermined value, the area having a smaller area data size is prioritized. 5. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading device is displayed so as to be adjusted.

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