JP2010213109A - Video distribution control server, receiving terminal, video simplifying multiplexer, method of distributing video, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video distribution control server, a receiving terminal, a video simplifying multiplexer, a method of distributing a video, and a program, capable of increasing the speed of video display in a channel switching destination when channel switching occurs under an environment limiting the number of distributable channels. <P>SOLUTION: The video distribution control server includes the video simplifying multiplexer analyzing channel distribution demands received from a plurality of receiving terminals, determining a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates and for output of video signals simplifying and multiplexing the video signals in these channels. The video distribution control server further includes a distribution controller distributing the video signal in the channels receiving the distribution demands from each receiving terminal and the video signals in the plurality of channels simplified and multiplexed as the channel-switching candidates to each receiving terminal, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video distribution control server, a receiving terminal, a video simplification multiplexing apparatus, a video distribution method, and a program.

  In streaming broadcasting, it is known that if a channel is frequently switched (zapping is performed), it takes time until the broadcasting of the switching destination is displayed. A configuration is disclosed in which an auxiliary stream is stored, and when the channel selection operation is performed, the auxiliary stream image is displayed until the buffer of the main stream is completed.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses multiplexing means for multiplexing a plurality of second information obtained by converting a plurality of first information at a bit rate lower than a predetermined bit rate and outputting the multiplexed second information as multiplexed second information. A transmission apparatus that transmits the first information and the multiplexed second information on different channels; and when a new channel is selected, a new channel is selected after the new channel is selected. In the period until the transmission line decoding of one information is completed, the second information of the low bit rate corresponding to the first information related to the new channel is output, and after the period, the new channel is output to the new channel. Receiving devices that output the first information are disclosed.

JP 2007-215069 A JP 2007-281868 A

  There is also a problem of buffering described in paragraphs 0011 and below of Patent Document 1, and in an IPTV service that distributes video of a TV image via a network that performs transmission on a best effort basis such as an IP (Internet Protocol) network. Causes a zapping delay in which it takes a long time from when the viewer issues a program switching instruction to when the video actually switched to the viewer is displayed.

  In particular, in the IPTV service, it is necessary to consider the bandwidth limitation in the home network where the receiving device is installed or the internal network in the company, and the load on the video distribution control server (also referred to as an edge server) that distributes video. For example, assuming that the effective speed of the access line is 12 Mbps, a signal with a transfer bit rate of 8 Mbps can be received by only one channel. In this case, even if the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, the number of channels that can be distributed as an auxiliary stream is very small.

  On the other hand, IPTV can distribute a large number of channels as in the case of television broadcasting using broadcast waves, and some of the channels are candidates for user switching. Considering the bandwidth limitation and the load on the distribution control server as described above, it is not always efficient to distribute all channels at a low bit rate.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video signal of a channel that is a candidate for switching to the receiving device in an environment where the number of channels that can be distributed is limited. Video distribution control server, video simplification multiplexing apparatus, receiving terminal, video distribution method and program capable of efficiently distributing video and speeding up the display of the switching destination channel video when the channel is switched There is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a channel distribution request received from a plurality of receiving terminals is analyzed, a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates are determined, and video signals of the plurality of channels are simplified and A simplified video multiplexing unit that outputs multiplexed video signals, a video signal of a channel that has received a distribution request from each receiving terminal, and a plurality of video signals that are simplified and multiplexed as the channel switching candidates. A video distribution control server is provided that includes a distribution control unit that distributes to each of the receiving terminals.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a channel switching operation is received from a user connected to the above-described video distribution control server, the video signal of the channel switching destination is sent from the video distribution control server. In the meantime, there is provided a receiving terminal that displays the simplified video of the switching destination channel using the simplified and multiplexed video signals of the plurality of channels received from the video distribution control server.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video simplification multiplexing apparatus that includes the video simplification multiplexing unit described above and provides video signals of a plurality of channels that are channel switching candidates to a video distribution control server. Provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a channel distribution request received from a plurality of receiving terminals is analyzed, a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates are determined, and video signals of the plurality of channels are simplified and A step of generating a multiplexed video signal, a step of distributing a video signal of a channel that has received a distribution request from each receiving terminal, and a video signal of a channel that is a channel switching candidate to each of the receiving terminals, A video distribution method is provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, channel distribution requests received from a plurality of receiving terminals are analyzed, a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates are determined, and the plurality of channels are simplified and multiplexed. A process for generating a video signal, and a process for distributing a video signal of a channel for which a distribution request has been received from each of the receiving terminals and a video signal of a channel of the channel switching candidate to each of the receiving terminals. A program to be executed is provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the computer is caused to execute the above-described simplification and multiplexing processes of the video signal, and the video distribution control server receives the video signals of a plurality of channels as channel switching candidates. A program to be provided is provided.

  According to the present invention, even in an environment where the number of channels that can be distributed is limited, the video signal of the channel that is the switching candidate is efficiently distributed to the receiving device side, and the switching destination channel at the time of channel switching is distributed. The display speed can be increased. The reason is that it is configured to analyze a distribution request received from a plurality of receiving terminals and determine a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates.

It is a block diagram showing the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the video simplification multiplexing part of the video delivery control server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram showing operation | movement of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the deformation | transformation embodiment of this invention.

  First, the outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The video transmission device (10 in FIG. 1) supplies a plurality of channel videos to the video distribution control server (30 in FIG. 1) via the network 20.

  Each receiving terminal (50 in FIG. 1) requests the video distribution control server (30 in FIG. 1) to distribute the channel video selected by the user.

  The distribution control unit (31 in FIG. 1) of the video distribution control server (30 in FIG. 1) distributes the channel video requested from each receiving terminal, analyzes the distribution request, and is used by many users. A plurality of channels that are likely to be switching candidates are selected and simplified, and a simplified multiplexed video signal multiplexed as a single distribution video signal is distributed together.

  The receiving terminal (50 in FIG. 1) reproduces and displays the channel video selected by the user, and when the viewer performs a channel switching operation, the channel after the channel switching is selected from the simplified multiplexed video signal. A simplified video signal is extracted and displayed. The receiving terminal (50 in FIG. 1) transmits a channel switching request to the video distribution control server (30 in FIG. 1) in parallel with the reproduction and display of the simplified video. Then, after the completion of the switching of the channel video from the video distribution control server (30 in FIG. 1), the receiving terminal (50 in FIG. 1) transitions from the simplified video playback display state to the normal video playback display state. To do.

  Here, since the simplified multiplexed video signal includes video signals of channels that are likely to be switching candidates for many users, in many cases, the channel after switching is quickly displayed. Channels that are candidates for switching may be appropriately selected based on channels, programs, past audience ratings, and the like that many users are viewing.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a video distribution control server 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a distribution control unit 31 and a video simplification multiplexing unit 40, and includes a network 20 such as an IP network. And a plurality of receiving terminals 50 are connected to the video transmission device 10 that distributes the program video via the network.

  The video transmission device 10 distributes video signals of a plurality of channels to the video distribution control server 30 via the network 20. The mechanism of distributing the video signal from the video transmission apparatus 10 is well known to those skilled in the art and is not directly related to the present invention, and therefore the detailed configuration is omitted.

  The mechanism of video transmission in the network 20 is well known to those skilled in the art, and since it is not directly related to the present invention, its detailed configuration is omitted.

  The distribution control unit 31 of the video distribution control server 30 performs main video signals (distribution requests) from among the plurality of channel videos distributed from the video transmission device 10 in accordance with the distribution requests for the videos individually received from the plurality of receiving terminals 50. The video signal of the received channel is selected and distributed to each receiving terminal 50. The distribution control unit 31 distributes the simplified video signal generated by the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 to the individual receiving terminals 50 together with the main video signal (the video signal of the channel that has received the distribution request). To do. When the distribution control unit 31 receives a channel switching request (distribution request for switching channel video) from the receiving terminal 50, the distribution control unit 31 completes the channel switching process while the receiving terminal 50 is reproducing and displaying the simplified video. Then, the main video after the channel switching (video signal of the switching destination channel) is distributed to the receiving terminal 50.

  The video simplification multiplexing unit 40 of the video distribution control server 30 simplifies each of the distributed video images and multiplexes them as a single video signal for distribution, and controls distribution of the simplified multiplexed video signal generated. To the unit 31.

  The simplification of the video in the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 can be realized, for example, by reducing the video screen size and the frame rate. A specific configuration of the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  In a steady state, the receiving terminal 50 reproduces and displays the main video signal distributed from the video distribution control server 30 (the video signal of the channel that has received the distribution request). When the user performs a channel switching operation, the simplified video corresponding to the video of the channel after the program switching is extracted from the simplified multiplexed video signal distributed from the video distribution control server 30, and this is extracted. Is displayed. The receiving terminal 50 reproduces and displays the simplified video and transmits a distribution request for the switching destination channel to the video distribution control server 30.

  The receiving terminal 50 can accept an operation for switching to another channel while a simplified video is being reproduced and displayed. Since the receiving terminal 50 receives from the video distribution control server 30 the simplified video signals of a plurality of channels that are switching destination candidates in a multiplexed state, it can be easily within the range of the plurality of multiplexed programs. It is possible to switch to reproduction display of a simplified image of another program.

  When the request for re-switching to another channel is received before the channel switching process is completed in this way, the video distribution control server 30 promptly stops the previous channel switching process and starts a new channel switching process. Execute. Note that the request for channel switching at the receiving terminal and the mechanism for reproducing and displaying the video are well known to those skilled in the art and are not directly related to the present invention, and thus the detailed configuration is omitted.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the video simplification multiplexing unit 40. In the example of FIG. 2, the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 includes an input unit 401 that receives a plurality of channel videos distributed from the video transmission device 10, and decoding units 402 a to 402 n that decode each individual channel. 403a to 403n for performing compression, compression units 404a to 404n for performing compression, and a multiplexing output unit 405 that multiplexes channel videos selected from these simplified channel videos and outputs them as one piece of data for distribution. And.

  According to such a configuration, when the input n pieces of channel video data are compressed and encoded, after the decompression decoding process is performed by the decoding units 402a to 402n for each video data, the simplification unit 403a Simplified video data can be generated by performing simplification processing such as screen size reduction and frame rate decimation at .about.403n and recompressing processing at the compression units 404a to 404n.

  When the simplified video data is generated only by thinning out the frame rate, there are cases where it is only necessary to thin out a part of the data while paying attention to the interframe reference relationship at the time of compression coding. In this case, the decoding units 402a to 402n and the compression units 404a to 404n in FIG. 2 can be omitted.

  For example, when the video to be simplified is compression-coded by the MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) method, an I picture may be extracted from a series of image frames. Alternatively, simplified video data can be generated by deleting only the B picture and extracting the remaining pictures. Further, when processing is performed by hierarchical compression encoding of the MPEG-2 system or MPEG-4 system, the amount of data can be reduced by extracting the compression encoded data of the lower layer. By this series of processing, it is possible to realize simplification processing of a plurality of channel images in substantially real time.

  As another example of the simplification process, the contents of channel video distributed in the past may be analyzed, and a characteristic scene may be extracted as a simplified video. Alternatively, when a video is created in advance, such as a recorded relay program or a rebroadcast program, the entire video of the corresponding program is analyzed, and a part of the video to be distributed in the future is extracted from the video distribution control server 30 and the preview video is displayed. And this may be a simplified video.

  The multiplexing output unit 405 analyzes the distribution request of the channels transmitted from the receiving terminal 50, selects, for example, the channels in descending order of the distribution requests, multiplexes them, and outputs them as simplified multiplexed video data.

  In the example of FIG. 2, a channel distribution request transmitted from the receiving terminal 50 is input to the multiplexing output unit 405 and channel switching candidates are determined, but selection of channel video to be simplified and multiplexed is selected. The method is not limited to this. For example, the channel 401 distribution request transmitted from the receiving terminal 50 may be analyzed by the input unit 401 in FIG. 2 and the channel video to be simplified / multiplexed may be selected. In this case, each process of the decoding units 402a to 402n, the simplification units 403a to 403n, and the compression units 404a to 404n in FIG. 2 is performed only on the selected channel video.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  3, first, the video transmission device 10 distributes video signals of a plurality of channels (for example, a, b,...) To the video distribution control server 30 (step S01). The video simplification multiplexing unit 40 of the video distribution control server 30 simplifies each of a plurality of distributed channel videos, multiplexes a plurality of channel videos selected from them as a single video signal for distribution, and simplifies. The multiplexed video signal X is generated and output to the distribution control unit 31 (step S02).

  When the user of the receiving terminal 50 performs an operation of selecting a certain channel a from the channels that can be viewed, the receiving terminal 50 transmits a distribution request for the channel a to the video distribution control server 30. The channel a distribution request from the receiving terminal 50 is input to the distribution control unit 31 and the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 of the video distribution control server 30 (steps S03-1 and S03-2).

  Upon receiving the distribution request, the distribution control unit 31 of the video distribution control server 30 selects the video signal of channel a and distributes it to the receiving terminal 50 (step S04-1). The receiving terminal 50 reproduces and displays the received video of channel a (step S05).

  Further, the distribution control unit 31 distributes the simplified multiplexed video signal X to the receiving terminal 50 independently of the distribution of the channel a requested to be distributed (step S04-2). The simplified multiplexed video signal X is distributed to all receiving terminals 50 connected to the video distribution control server 30 without depending on the channel for which distribution is requested.

  Thereafter, at a predetermined timing, the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 of the video distribution control server 30 adds the distribution request of the channel a from the receiving terminal 50 to the analysis target, and reviews and simplifies the channel as the switching destination candidate. The multiplexed video signal X is updated (step S06).

  When the user of the receiving terminal 50 performs a switching operation from channel a to channel b (step S07), the receiving terminal 50 does not wait for reception of the video signal of channel b from the video distribution control server 30, and has already waited. The simplified video signal of channel b is extracted from the simplified multiplexed video data X being received, and the simplified video of channel b is reproduced and displayed (step S08-1).

  In parallel with the reproduction and display of the simplified video, the receiving terminal 50 transmits a distribution request for channel b to the video distribution control server 30. The channel b distribution request from the receiving terminal 50 is input to the distribution control unit 31 and the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 of the video distribution control server 30 (steps S08-2 and S08-3).

  Upon receiving the distribution request, the distribution control unit 31 of the video distribution control server 30 selects the video signal of channel b and distributes it to the receiving terminal 50 (step S09-1). The receiving terminal 50 reproduces and displays the received video of channel b (step S10).

  Further, the distribution control unit 31 distributes the simplified multiplexed video signal X to the receiving terminal 50 independently of the switching to the channel b (step S09-2).

  Thereafter, at a predetermined timing, the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 of the video distribution control server 30 adds the distribution request of the channel b from the receiving terminal 50 to the analysis target, and reviews and simplifies the channel as the switching destination candidate. The multiplexed video signal X is updated (step S11).

  Thereafter, the same processing is continued when the user of the receiving terminal 50 performs an operation of returning from channel b to channel a again or when switching to another channel.

  By reviewing the channels to be simplified and multiplexed periodically as described above, even in an environment where the number of channels that can be distributed is limited, channels that are candidates for switching can be efficiently transferred to the receiving device side. It becomes possible to deliver.

  In the example of FIG. 3, when the user performs a switching operation from channel a to channel b (step S <b> 07), the receiving terminal 50 immediately transmits a request for switching to channel b to the video distribution control server 30. (Step S08-2) The transmission timing of the switching request to channel b can be changed as appropriate. For example, when the user performs zapping for frequently switching channels, the video signal X is used to shift to a zapping mode in which simplified video switching display is performed, and a channel switching request is transmitted to the video distribution control server 30. May be put on hold. Thereafter, when the state where the specific channel is selected continues, the receiving terminal 50 may transmit a channel switching request to the video distribution control server 30. By doing so, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load on the video distribution control server 30 that occurs when switching the video to be distributed during zapping in which channels are frequently switched.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the distribution of the simplified multiplexed video data X is started together with the main video (channel video that has received a distribution request), but the distribution timing of the video data X is changed as appropriate. be able to. As soon as the video distribution control server 30 is ready to distribute the data X, distribution to the individual receiving terminals 50 may be started.

  On the other hand, it is desirable that the display start of the simplified video on channel b be performed as soon as the channel switching operation is performed by the viewer. However, the program switching request from the receiving terminal 50 to the video distribution control server 30 is In the relationship, whichever comes first.

  Further, in FIG. 3, the operation when a distribution request is made from one receiving terminal 50 has been described, but the same operation is performed when a distribution request is received from a plurality of receiving terminals 50.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the video simplification multiplexing unit 40 of the video distribution control server 30 is independent as the video simplification multiplexing device 41.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the video simplification multiplexing device 41 is arranged between the video transmission device 10 and the network 20. The plurality of channel videos sent from the video sending device 10 are immediately input to the video simplification multiplexing device 41 for simplification and multiplexing processing. . The simplified multiplexed video signal is distributed to the video distribution control server 30 via the network 20 together with a plurality of channel videos. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the video simplification multiplexing device 41 is described as being disposed between the video transmission device 10 and the network 20, but may be disposed between the network 20 and the receiving terminal 50. .

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments may be made without departing from the basic technical idea of the present invention. Can be added.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the simplified multiplexed video signal including the same channel video is distributed to all receiving terminals. However, the included channel video is changed for each receiving terminal 50. It is also possible.

  For example, the receiving terminals may be grouped according to the channel being viewed, and a simplified multiplexed video signal may be generated for each group. Specifically, assuming that the user switches programs using the arrow keys of the remote control terminal, there is a high possibility that a channel adjacent to the currently viewed channel number is selected. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, channel switching candidates are determined for each channel, and the same channel image is viewed separately from the channels determined by analyzing the distribution request (channels f and h in FIG. 5). A plurality of receiving terminals can generate and distribute a simplified multiplexed video signal including a channel video adjacent to the channel being viewed. In this way, the limited band can be used more effectively.

  In addition, for example, a channel number that has been viewed in the past at a certain receiving terminal, a program that was viewed immediately before, a program that is related in detail to the program that was recently viewed, etc. are selected, and a simplified multiplexed video signal for each receiving terminal. May be generated. In this case, the video distribution control server 30 can distribute different simplified multiplexed video signals for each receiving terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Video transmission apparatus 20 Network 30 Video distribution control server 31 Distribution control part 40 Video simplification multiplexing part 41 Video simplification multiplexing apparatus 50 Receiving terminal 401 Input part 402a-402n Decoding part 403a-403n Simplification part 404a-404n Compression Part 405 Multiplexing output part

Claims (10)

Analyzing channel distribution requests received from a plurality of receiving terminals, determining a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates from a plurality of channel video signals received from a transmission source, and determining the plurality of channel video signals A video simplification multiplexing unit for outputting a simplified and multiplexed video signal;
A distribution control unit that distributes to each receiving terminal a video signal of a channel for which a distribution request has been received from each receiving terminal and a plurality of channel video signals simplified and multiplexed as the channel switching candidates; Providing
A video distribution control server. The video simplification multiplexing unit includes:
A video simplification unit that simplifies video signals of a plurality of channels received from a transmission source,
2. A multiplexing output unit that analyzes channel distribution requests received from a plurality of receiving terminals, determines a plurality of channels to be distributed as the channel switching candidate, multiplexes and outputs the multiplexed channel to the distribution control server. Video distribution control server. The video simplification multiplexing unit includes:
Analyzing channel distribution requests received from a plurality of receiving terminals and determining a plurality of channels to be distributed as the channel switching candidates;
A video simplification unit for simplifying each of the determined video signals of the plurality of channels;
The video distribution control server according to claim 1, further comprising: a multiplexing output unit that multiplexes the video signals of the simplified channels and outputs the multiplexed signal to the distribution control server. The video simplification multiplexing unit includes:
For each channel received from the transmission source, determine a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates, and generate video signals for each channel by simplifying and multiplexing the video signals of the plurality of channels,
The distribution control unit selects and distributes the simplified and multiplexed video signal corresponding to the channel to which the receiving terminal receives distribution from the simplified and multiplexed video signals generated for each channel. The video distribution control server according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   4. When connected to the video distribution control server according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and receiving a channel switching operation from a user, until the video signal of the channel switching destination is sent from the video distribution control server, the video A receiving terminal that displays a simplified video of a switching destination channel using the simplified and multiplexed video signals of a plurality of channels received from a distribution control server.   When a channel switching operation is performed a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period, a channel video distribution request to the video distribution control server is suppressed, and the simplified and multiplexed plural received from the video distribution control server 6. The receiving terminal according to claim 5, wherein the simplified video of the switching destination channel is displayed using the video signal of the channel. Connected to the receiving terminal is a video distribution control server that distributes the video signal of the channel for which the distribution request has been received from the receiving terminal and the video signals of the plurality of channels simplified and multiplexed as channel switching candidates. ,
Analyzing channel distribution requests received from a plurality of receiving terminals, determining a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates, generating a video signal obtained by simplifying and multiplexing the video signals of the plurality of channels, A video simplification multiplexing apparatus that transmits to a distribution control server. Analyzing a channel distribution request received from a plurality of receiving terminals, determining a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates, and generating a video signal obtained by simplifying and multiplexing the video signals of the plurality of channels;
A video delivery method including: delivering to each receiving terminal a video signal of a channel for which a delivery request has been received from each receiving terminal and a video signal of a channel that is a channel switching candidate. Analyzing a channel distribution request received from a plurality of receiving terminals, determining a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates, and generating a video signal obtained by simplifying and multiplexing the plurality of channels;
A program that causes a computer to execute a process of distributing a video signal of a channel for which a distribution request has been received from each receiving terminal and a video signal of a channel that is a channel switching candidate to each receiving terminal. A program for causing a receiving computer to execute a video distribution control server that distributes a video signal of a channel for which a distribution request has been received from each receiving terminal and a video signal of a plurality of channels as channel switching candidates, respectively, to a receiving terminal Because
Analyzing channel distribution requests received from a plurality of receiving terminals, determining a plurality of channels to be distributed as channel switching candidates, generating a video signal obtained by simplifying and multiplexing the video signals of the plurality of channels, A program for causing the computer to execute processing to be transmitted to a distribution control server.

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