JP2011160606A - Electric power monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote consumption of generated power by utilizing recyclable energy. <P>SOLUTION: In the power monitoring system, a data storage section 3d stores information, indicating the correspondence relation between a proportion between the amount of power generated utilizing recyclable energy in the total amount of power supplied by a power company and time as power information. A control section 3b of an energy management unit 3 causes a broadcasting terminal 5 to broadcast the proportion corresponding to the time counted by a clock means, on the basis of the correspondence relation. Accordingly, a power consumer (inhabitant) can readily know the proportion of power generation utilizing the recyclable energy. As a result, the consumption of power generated by utilizing the recyclable energy can be promoted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power monitoring system that monitors power consumed by a power consumer.

  In order to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, which is a cause of global warming, it is necessary to promote the reduction of power consumption (power saving) in power consumers (offices and houses). And the electric power monitoring system described in patent document 1 is proposed as one means of promoting such power saving. The conventional system described in Patent Document 1 measures the power consumption for each of a plurality of branch circuits in a distribution board for branch wiring of commercial power supplied from an electric power company, and for each branch circuit. The power consumption is displayed on a monitor device installed in the living room of the house. In other words, it can be expected that the resident of the house is encouraged to take an energy-saving action such as turning off unnecessary lights by “visualizing” the usage status of electric power (electric energy) in the house.

JP 2009-130983 A

  By the way, according to the power generation method using renewable energy such as wind power generation, solar power generation, and hydroelectric power generation, the amount of carbon dioxide emission can be made almost zero. Therefore, each electric power company is trying to increase the ratio of the amount of power generation by the power generation method using the renewable energy in the total power generation amount. And if the proportion of power generation using renewable energy is low, power consumers refrain from consuming electricity, and if the power consumer consumes power when the proportion of power generation is high, the result is Emissions can be reduced.

  However, wind power generation and solar power generation vary in power generation amount depending on time of day and weather, and the ratio of power generation amount by a power generation method using renewable energy also changes according to the variation in the power generation amount. However, since there is no way for electric power consumers to easily know the proportion of power generation using renewable energy, it is difficult to actively consume power when the proportion is high.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The objective is to provide the electric power monitoring system which can promote consumption of the electric power generated using renewable energy.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 measures a distribution facility for distributing electric power supplied from an electric power company in a building, and an amount of electric power distributed from the distribution facility and consumed in the building. Transmitted through a network in a power monitoring system comprising a measuring means for displaying, a display means for displaying various information, and a control means for causing the display means to display information on the amount of power measured by the measuring means A network communication means for receiving power information; a storage means for storing the power information received by the network communication means; a clock means for measuring time; and a notification means for notifying various information; Is information indicating the correspondence between the proportion of the total amount of power supplied by the power company and the amount of power generated using renewable energy, and time , The control means, based on said relationship, characterized in that for informing the percentage corresponding to the time measured by said clock means to said informing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the notification unit of an advance notice of the change in the ratio before changing the ratio to be notified to the notification unit. It is characterized by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the ratio is divided into a plurality of classes, and the notification means reports the plurality of classes in different modes.

  According to the present invention, the proportion of the amount of power generated using renewable energy out of the total amount of power supplied by the electric power company is notified from the notification means according to each time. Electricity consumers can easily know the ratio of the amount of power generation using the. As a result, the consumption of electric power generated using renewable energy can be promoted.

It is a system configuration figure showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the alerting | reporting terminal same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the electric power information in the same as the above. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing explaining the alerting | reporting content of the alerting | reporting terminal in the same as the above. It is a sequence chart for operation | movement description same as the above.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the technical idea of the present invention is applied to a power monitoring system described in Patent Document 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the power monitoring system to which the technical idea of the present invention can be applied is not limited to the power monitoring system described in Patent Document 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power monitoring system according to the present embodiment connects a home equipment A installed in each dwelling unit and a mobile terminal PT (terminal device) outside the home via a center device SV (server) via the Internet NT (network). ) And configured. The in-home equipment A is connected to the integrated management panel 1 via the integrated management panel 1 installed in the house, the electric line Lp for supplying commercial power, and the information transmission line Lj. A plurality of electric appliances Xmn installed in a house such as a lighting fixture, an air conditioning device (air conditioner), a floor heating appliance, and an IH device to be monitored (subscripts m and n are integers greater than or equal to 1. m, n = 1. , 2,..., And so on) and web browser functions of a plurality (two in the figure) of terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) connected to the integrated management panel 1 via the LAN cable Li. The integrated management panel 1 and the terminal device constitute a home network using general-purpose communication protocols (TCP / IP, HTTP, etc.). Here, the personal computer PC and the display control device CV correspond to the display means.

  This in-home network is a local area network (LAN) compliant with the 100BASE-TX (IEEE802.3u) standard, etc., and is integrated in an integrated device TM described later corresponding to a layer 2 switch or a layer 3 switch in the integrated management panel 1. Terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) corresponding to network terminals are connected by star wiring. Further, the integrated device TM has an Internet connection function corresponding to the type of line (telephone line, CATV line, optical fiber line, etc.) for connecting to the Internet NT, and the home network is connected via this integrated device TM. Is connected to the Internet NT, which is an external network. Note that the terminal device constituting the home network may be a television receiver having a web browser function.

  Furthermore, a center device SV installed outside the home is connected to the home network via the Internet NT. Then, as will be described later, by performing data communication via the Internet NT between the portable terminal device (portable terminal PT) and the center device SV, for example, the home electric appliance from the outside using the portable terminal PT Can be controlled and monitored. Examples of this type of portable terminal PT include a notebook personal computer, a cellular phone, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) that can be connected to the Internet NT and have a web browser function.

  The center device SV is composed of a general-purpose computer device having a network function, and does not belong to the home network from the integrated management panel 1 or a message addressed to the integrated management panel 1 transmitted from the portable terminal PT via the Internet NT. It has a function of relaying a message transmitted to a terminal device (for example, a portable terminal PT). Further, the center device SV includes an information database, and power information of the power company is stored in the information database. As shown in FIG. 3, the power information includes the amount of power generated using renewable energy among the total amount of commercial power supplied by the power company (the amount of power generated by solar power generation or wind power generation). ) Is a piece of information (hereinafter simply referred to as “power ratio”) and a correspondence relationship between time and time. The power information is information expected based on the next day's weather (weather forecast) or the like, and is updated by the power company every 24 hours, that is, once a day. When the power information stored in the information database is updated, the center device SV distributes the updated power information to the energy management unit 3 via the Internet NT. However, since the portable terminal PT and the center device SV having the Internet connection function as described above are well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The integrated management panel 1 has a main breaker Bs that receives commercial power supplied from an electric power company on the primary side, and a plurality of terminals (only three are shown in FIG. 1) that are inserted from the secondary circuit of the main breaker Bs. Branch breaker Bmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...), Current measuring unit 2 for measuring the current flowing through the main breaker Bs and the branch breaker Bmn, and the current measuring unit 2 The energy management unit 3 that calculates the amount of power used based on the input measurement data, the integrated device TM, and the electric device controller C1 are provided. Then, each electric circuit Lpmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...) Branched through each branch breaker Bmn is led out of the integrated management panel 1 and is connected to each electric circuit Lpmn. Operating power is supplied to the device Xmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...). That is, the main breaker Bs and the branch breaker Bmn correspond to the power distribution equipment.

  The current measurement unit 2 periodically measures a main power measuring unit 2a that regularly measures the main power supplied via the main breaker Bs, and the value of the branch current flowing through each branch breaker Bmn for each branch breaker. The branch current measuring unit CTmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...) To be measured, the main power of the main breaker Bs, and the branch current measurement data for each branch breaker Bmn are collected and collected. And a control unit 2b that outputs data to the energy management unit 3 as detection information.

  The main power measuring unit 2a includes a main current measuring unit CTs that periodically measures the main current flowing through the main circuit breaker Bs, and a power calculating unit EPO that calculates the amount of electric power based on the measured value of the main current, By converting the measured value of the main current measured by the main current measuring unit CTs into the electric energy by the electric power calculating unit EPO, the main electric energy supplied through the main circuit breaker Bs is calculated.

  Here, the branch current measuring unit CTmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1, 2,...) Provided for each branch breaker Bmn has each electric circuit Lpmn (m = 1, 2,..., N = 1). , 2,..., And a sensor unit (not shown) that generates detection data based on the detection output of the current sensor, and further includes a sensor unit. Then, the generated detection data is modulated into a transmission signal and output to the control unit 2b.

  The control unit 2b then demodulates the transmission signal input from the sensor unit to extract detection data, and sequentially transmits the acquired detection data from the transmission unit 2c to the energy management unit 3.

  The energy management unit 3 includes a calculation unit 3a and a control unit 3b. Based on the branch current measurement data for each branch breaker Bmn received from the power measurement unit 2, the calculation unit 3 a calculates the branch power amount supplied through each branch breaker Bmn. The control unit 3b generates image data representing the main power amount calculated by the power calculation unit EPO and the branch power amount calculated by the calculation unit 3a.

  In addition, the control unit 3b pre-registers information on the electrical equipment Xmn connected to each branch breaker Bmn (for example, usage, installation location, stop-time branch current, etc.) and is input from the calculation unit 3a. The data storage unit 3d that sequentially stores the main power amount and the branch power amount (usage power amount) for each branch breaker Bmn in time series, and the terminal device (display control device CV, personal computer PC, portable terminal PT, etc.) from the integrated device TM In response to various request signals input via the network, image data for displaying various amounts of electricity used, such as the main power amount and the branch power amount for each branch circuit, is generated, and the image data is transmitted to the terminal device And an image data generation unit 3c for (distribution). Furthermore, the control unit 3b is connected to the integrated device TM, the electric device controller C1, and the like in the integrated management panel 1 via a LAN cable.

  In the data storage unit 3d, data of the branch breaker Bmn for detecting the electric energy (name of the branch breaker: branch 1, branch 2,...) Is stored in advance. The image data generation unit 3c creates web content (web page) as image data for displaying various types of electricity usage such as the main power amount and the branch power amount for each branch circuit, and the terminal device (display control device CV or It has a function (web server function) for providing (distributing) desired web contents to a terminal device in response to a request from a personal computer PC or a portable terminal PT. Here, the data storage unit 3d stores the name of the electrical equipment connected to the branch breaker Bmn and the information on the place where it is used as the data of the branch breaker Bmn, such as air conditioning equipment (air conditioner) and floor heating equipment. In the case of a branch breaker provided individually for a single circuit, the name of the corresponding electrical device is stored. In addition, in the case of a branch breaker that may be connected to an unspecified electrical device rather than a single circuit, the name of the electrical device that may be connected to each branch breaker (for example, a lighting fixture, a television, a hot water supply) Etc.) and the main place of use, and the name of the electrical equipment (for example, hot carpet and iron) that the user is likely to use by connecting to each branch breaker and the place of use are set. Is preferred.

  On the other hand, a plurality of rooms Rm (m = 1, 2,...) Such as a living room, a bedroom, a children's room, etc. are provided in the house, and each room Rm has an electric device Xmn (m = 1, 2,. n = 1, 2,...) and electrical outlets to which electrical devices are connected. In the present embodiment, the branch breaker B1n (n = 1, 2,...) Includes an air conditioner X11 or an outlet (an electric device other than the air conditioner X11) provided in the room R1 (for example, a living room) and used in the room R1. Outlets to which the electric devices to be connected are connected), and power is supplied through corresponding electric circuits Lp1n (n = 1, 2,...). In addition, the branch breaker B20 is connected to an air conditioner X21 provided in a room R2 (for example, a child's room), and supplies power through an electric circuit Lp20. Furthermore, an air conditioner X31 provided in a room R3 (for example, a bedroom) is connected to the branch breaker B31, and power is supplied through the electric circuit Lp31. Further, the branch breaker B4n (n = 1, 2,...) Is connected to an air conditioner X41 or a refrigerator outlet provided in the room R4 (for example, kitchen), and the corresponding electric circuit Lp4n (n = 1, 2,...). ). Further, the branch breaker B51 is connected to an outlet provided in the room R5 (for example, a Japanese-style room) (an outlet to which an electrical device used in the room R5 is connected), and supplies power through the electric circuit Lp51. Further, the branch breakers Bmn (m = 6, 7,..., N = 1, 2,...) Are connected to outlets for water heaters, floor heating, and washing machines, respectively, and corresponding electric circuits Lpmn (m = 6, m = 6, m). 7,..., N = 1, 2,.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the integrated device TM is connected to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the panel, the electric device controller C1, and the personal computer outside the panel via a LAN cable (enhanced category 5 or category 6 LAN cable). A PC and a display control device CV are connected to the center device SV, a mobile terminal PT such as a mobile phone, or other terminal devices through the Internet NT. This integrated device TM has a packet processing function, a path switching function, a network security function, a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) control point function, and the like, and controls data exchange in the network.

  The electric device controller C1 has an interface function with the integrated device TM and an interface function with the electric device Xmn conforming to the Japan Electric Manufacturers Association (JEMA) unified standard. When the electrical device controller C1 receives a control request message from the terminal device via the integrated device TM, each electrical device Xmn (for example, an air conditioner or a floor heating facility) is individually connected via the information transmission path Lj. It has a function (control function) to control and switch between operation and stop. Further, when the electrical device controller C1 receives a monitoring request message from the terminal device via the integrated device TM, the electrical device controller C1 operates (runs [lit] or stops [turns off] each electrical device Xmn via the information transmission path Lj. ) Individually, and a function (monitoring) that transmits a response to the control request and the monitoring request (operation state of each electrical device Xmn) to the terminal device that is the transmission source of the request message via the integrated device TM. Function). The electric device controller C1 stores in advance device name information of the electric device Xmn under its control, name information of the room Rm, and the like, and displays the name and operation state of the electric device Xmn with characters and symbols. The web content (web page) is created, and the web content is provided (distributed) to the terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device (web server function).

  By the way, the power monitoring system of the present embodiment includes one or more notification terminals 5 that notify the user (resident) of the above-described power information. As shown in FIG. 2, the notification terminal 5 includes a terminal control unit 50, a wireless communication unit 51, a display unit 52, and an operation input unit 53, which are housed in a synthetic resin housing (not shown). . The notification terminal 5 is placed on the desk or placed on the wall by being hung on a wall.

  The terminal control unit 50 includes a microcomputer as a main component, and includes a data storage unit 50a made of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The radio communication unit 51 transmits and receives radio signals using radio waves as a medium in accordance with “Radio station of low power data communication system” defined in Article 6, Paragraph 4, Item 4 of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations. For example, it is composed of a commercially available LSI for low-power wireless communication. The operation input unit 53 includes a push button switch and the like, and outputs an operation signal to the terminal control unit 50 when the push button switch is pressed.

  The display unit 52 uses a light emitting diode as a light source, and transmits light emitted from the light emitting diode from a transmission unit formed in the housing. The transmissive portion represents various display elements (pictograms) such as figures, symbols, and pictures, and these display elements are lit and displayed on the front surface of the housing when light is transmitted. For example, five pictograms PM1 to PM5 representing a picture of a flower as shown in FIG. 4A are arranged in a horizontal row, and the pictograms PMi (i = 1, The number of 2,3,4,5) is increasing. In FIG. 4A, the right three pictograms PM1 to PM3 are displayed in a light-emitting manner. Alternatively, in the pictogram PM6 representing a picture of a globe as shown in FIG. 4B, it is also possible to light-display the power ratio in the area of the dark portion inside the globe.

  Here, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in the present embodiment is provided with a wireless communication unit 3e for wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 51 of the notification terminal 5. The control unit 3b has clock means (timer) for measuring time. And the control part 3b is based on the electric power information preserve | saved in the data memory | storage part 3d (correspondence relation of a time and an electric power ratio), The electric power ratio corresponding to the time time-measured with a timer is notified to the alerting | reporting terminal 5 which is an alerting | reporting means. Let me know.

  Next, details of an operation for informing the notification terminal 5 of the power ratio will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.

  When the center device SV receives the next day's power information from the power company, the center device SV notifies the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 of the power information via the integrated device TM via the Internet NT. The control unit 3b stores the power information notified from the center device SV in the data storage unit 3d. Then, when the time counted by the timer reaches 0:00, the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d and the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 0: 00-2: 00 ( 10% in FIG. 3) and a radio signal including a control command at a level corresponding to the read power ratio value is transmitted from the radio communication unit 3 e to each notification terminal 5. In this embodiment, the power ratio is 0% to 20% at level 1, 20% to 40% at level 2, 40% to 60% at level 3, 60% to 80% at level 4, 80% to 100%. % Is defined as level 5. Therefore, since the power ratio corresponding to the time zone from 0:00 to 2:00 is 10%, the control unit 3b gives a control command of level 1 to the notification terminal 5.

  On the other hand, in the notification terminal 5, when the wireless communication unit 51 receives the wireless signal, the terminal control unit 50 receives a control command included in the wireless signal. The terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command to notify (display) the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 0:00 to 2:00 on the display unit 52. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, only the rightmost pictogram PM1 is displayed in a light emitting manner.

  Furthermore, when the time counted by the timer reaches 2:00, the control unit 3b refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, and the power ratio corresponding to the time zone of 2: 00-4: 00 ( 10% in FIG. 3) and a radio signal including a control command of level 1 corresponding to the read power ratio value is transmitted from the radio communication unit 3 e to each notification terminal 5. Similarly, every time the time counted by the timer becomes 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00 Then, referring to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d, the power ratio corresponding to each time zone is read, and a radio signal including a control command at a level corresponding to the read power ratio value is transmitted to the radio communication unit. 3e is transmitted to each notification terminal 5.

  On the other hand, the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, and notifies the display unit 52 of the power ratio corresponding to each time zone. (Display).

  As described above, the power monitoring system of the present embodiment includes a network communication unit (in this embodiment, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3) that receives power information transmitted from a power company through a network, and the network communication unit. Storage means for storing the power information received in (data storage unit 3d of the energy management unit 3 in this embodiment) and clock means for measuring time (control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 in this embodiment). And notification means (notification terminal 5 in the present embodiment) for notifying various information. In addition, the power information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the ratio of the amount of power generated using renewable energy to the total power amount supplied by the power company and time. And a control means (control part 3b of the energy management unit 3 in this embodiment) makes the said notification means alert | report the said ratio corresponding to the time measured by the said clock means based on the said correspondence. Therefore, since the proportion of the amount of power generated using renewable energy in the total amount of power supplied by the power company is notified from the notification means (notification terminal 5) according to each time, it can be regenerated. Electricity consumers (residents) can easily know the proportion of power generation using energy. As a result, the consumption of electric power generated using renewable energy can be promoted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the power ratio is divided into five classes (level 1 to level 5), and the display unit 52 of the notification terminal 5 displays each class (level 1 to level 5) in a different mode, for example, light emission display. Notification is made by the difference in the number of pictographs PMi to be performed.

  By the way, when the power ratio notified by the notification terminal 5 is only the current level as described above, it is impossible to know what time the power ratio changes. Therefore, before the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 changes the power ratio to be notified to the notification terminal 5, it is desirable to cause the notification terminal 5 to notify the notification terminal 5 of the change notification of the power ratio.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a pictogram PM6 indicating a power ratio corresponding to a time zone to which the current time belongs, a pictomark PM7 indicating a power ratio corresponding to the next time zone following the time zone, A pictogram PM8 indicating the remaining time from the current time to the start time of the next time zone is displayed on the display unit 52 so as to emit light. The pictogram PM8 is formed by dividing a right-pointing arrow into four parts, and notifies the remaining time by increasing the number of light emission displays from left to right every 30 minutes. In this case, the notice is given by the pictograph PM7 indicating the power ratio corresponding to the next time zone and the pictograph PM8 indicating the remaining time.

  On the other hand, when the time counted by the timer is the start time of each time zone, the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 refers to the power information stored in the data storage unit 3d and the power corresponding to the time zone. The ratio and the power ratio corresponding to the next time period following the time period are read out, and wireless signals including two types of control commands respectively corresponding to the read two power ratio values are transmitted from the wireless communication unit 3e. It transmits to the notification terminal 5.

  When the terminal control unit 50 of the notification terminal 5 receives the control command included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 51, the terminal control unit 50 controls the display unit 52 according to the control command, whereby the above-described three types of pictograms PM6. ~ PM8 is displayed in a light-emitting manner. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 50 starts a time limit (countdown) of the built-in timer from the time when the control command is received, and controls only the display content of the pictograph PM8 by controlling the display unit 52 every time 30 minutes elapse, that is, The number of light emission displays from left to right is increased.

  Thus, if the notice notification as described above is notified (displayed) on the display unit 52 of the notification terminal 5, it is possible to easily know what time the power ratio changes. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of power in a time zone where the power ratio is relatively high, thereby contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, although the notification terminal 5 in the present embodiment notifies the power ratio using only light, the power ratio may be notified using not only light but also sound (such as a buzzer sound or a voice message).

  In the above-described form, the power information provided from the power company is notified to the control unit 3b of the energy management unit 3 via the center device SV, but is installed in each dwelling unit (power consumer) by the power company. You may make it notify from the smart meter to the control part 3b of the energy management unit 3. FIG. The smart meter is a watt-hour meter having a two-way communication function with an electric power company and a management device for electric devices in a building, and the electric power information distributed from the electric power company to the smart meter is controlled by the energy management unit 3. It can be transmitted wirelessly to the unit 3b.

2 Current measurement unit (measuring means)
3 Energy management unit 3b Control unit (control means, network communication means, clock means)
3d data storage unit (storage means)
5 Notification terminal (notification means)
Bmn branch breaker (distribution equipment)
Bs trunk breaker (power distribution equipment)
CV display control device (display means)

Claims (3)

A distribution facility that distributes the power supplied from the power company into the building, a measuring unit that measures the amount of power that is distributed from the distribution facility and consumed in the building, and a display unit that displays various information, In a power monitoring system comprising control means for causing the display means to display information on the amount of power measured by the measuring means,
Network communication means for receiving power information transmitted through the network, storage means for storing the power information received by the network communication means, clock means for measuring time, and notification means for notifying various information Prepared,
The power information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the ratio of the amount of power generated using renewable energy among the total power supplied by the power company and time,
The control means causes the notification means to notify the ratio corresponding to the time counted by the clock means based on the correspondence relationship.   2. The power monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to notify a notification to notify the change of the ratio before changing the ratio to be notified to the notification unit.   3. The power monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is divided into a plurality of classes, and the reporting unit reports the plurality of classes in different modes.

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