JP2012243670A - Cable identification tool and cable identification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To indicate, to an operator, a cable to be selected when selecting the cable.SOLUTION: A cable identification tool comprises a body, mounting means, and opening means. The body has a first contact, a second contact, a light-emitting part, and a cover. The first contact and the second contact are each connected to two conducting wires of a target cable. The light-emitting part has a first conductor, a second conductor, and a light-emitting element. The first conductor is electrically connected to the first contact. The second conductor is electrically connected to the second contact. The light-emitting element emits light when a predetermined amount of power is supplied between the first conductor and the second conductor. The cover is made of a material which allows visible light to pass through, and covers the light-emitting element. The mounting means fixes the cable identification tool to the target cable. The opening means supplies power between the first conductor and the second conductor from outside.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cable identification tool attached to a cable for identifying the cable and a cable identification method using the cable identification tool.

  Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for identifying a cable from a number of wired cables. In this technique, the ground wire and the insulated wire are short-circuited at one end of the cable, and the continuity between the ground wire and the insulated wire is confirmed with a tester or the like at the other end, thereby confirming the correspondence between both ends of the cable.

JP 2002-17016 A

  The request to confirm the correspondence between cables occurs in a situation where a large number of cables are wired. For example, when removing a personal computer in an office, consider removing a LAN cable connected to the personal computer. Since one end of the LAN cable is connected to a personal computer or the like, it is easy to identify one end of the LAN cable to be removed. However, in many cases, it is not known which LAN cable should be disconnected at the other end connected to the hub after passing through a double floor or the like. The technique of Patent Document 1 is effective for specifying a LAN cable that can be disconnected from the hub in such a situation.

  However, in the related art, the correspondence cannot be confirmed unless the operator selects a cable that is predicted to be removed and the contact needle of the tester is not in contact with the grounding wire and the insulation wire. Therefore, if the predicted cable is not the object of removal, the selection of the cable and the contact of the contact needle must be repeated. Therefore, in a place where a large amount of cables are concentrated, the selection of the cables and the contact of the contact needle often increase. In addition, it is difficult to perform repetitive work in a work environment in which the hub is under a desk or floor and the contact needle of the tester is difficult to contact.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a cable identification tool capable of indicating a cable to be selected to an operator when selecting a cable, and a cable identification method using the cable identification tool.

  The cable identification tool of the present invention is attached to a target cable in order to confirm the correspondence between the cables. The cable identification tool of the present invention includes a main body, attachment means, and opening means. The main body includes a first contact, a second contact, a light emitting unit, and a cover. The first contact and the second contact are separately connected to the two conductors of the target cable. The light emitting unit includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a light emitting element. The first conductor is electrically connected to the first contact. The second conductor is electrically connected to the second contact. The light emitting element emits light when a predetermined power is supplied between the first conductor and the second conductor. The cover is formed of a material that transmits visible light and covers the light emitting element. The attachment means fixes the cable identification tool to the target cable. The opening means supplies power from the outside between the first conductor and the second conductor.

  The cable identification method of this invention confirms the correspondence of the cable which attached a plurality of cable identification tools of this invention beforehand. The cable identification method of the present invention includes a power supply step and a confirmation step. In the power supply step, power is supplied using an opening means between the first conductor and the second conductor of any one of the cable identification tools. When power is supplied in this way, predetermined power is supplied between the first conductor and the second conductor of all other cable identifiers using one conductor and the other conductor. In the confirmation step, the correspondence between the cables is confirmed by searching for the cable identification tool emitting light in the power supply step.

  According to the cable identifier of the present invention, a plurality of cable identifiers can be attached to one cable. When a cable is specified at any position where the cable identifier is attached, all the cable identifiers can be made to emit light by supplying predetermined power to the cable identifier. That is, in a place where a cable cannot be specified (a place where a cable is desired to be specified), the operator can be shown a cable to be selected. Therefore, it is not necessary to repeatedly select the cable and contact the contact needle in a place where the cable cannot be specified.

The figure which shows a mode that the cable identification tool of this invention was attached to the cable. The expansion | deployment perspective view of the cable identification tool provided with the boots. The figure which shows the structure of the expand | deployed cable identification tool. The perspective view which shows the structure of the developed cable identification tool. The figure which shows a mode that the cable identification tool was attached to the cable with a connector. The figure which shows the structure of a light emission part. The figure which shows the mode of wiring when attaching a some cable identification tool to a cable. The figure which shows the structural example of the power supply device for supplying electric power to a cable identification tool. The figure which shows a mode that electric power is provided to a cable identification tool from the outside. The figure which shows a mode when electric power is supplied to one cable identification tool. The figure which shows the modification of an attachment means. The figure which shows the example which changed the direction of the light emission part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the structure part which has the same function, and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Cable identification tool>
FIG. 1 shows a state where the cable identification tool of the present invention is attached to a cable. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cable identifier having a boot, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a cable identifier having no boot, with the cover removed. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cable identification tool having a boot. FIG. 2A is a developed perspective view obliquely from above, and FIG. 2B is a developed perspective view obliquely from below.

  In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the cable identification tool 100 ′ is attached to one end of a cable 900 to which a connector 990 is attached. The cable identification tool 100 ′ includes a cable identification tool 100 and a boot 500. The cable identification tool 100 includes a main body 110 and a base 180. The base 180 functions as attachment means for attaching the main body 110 to the cable 900. The main body 110 includes a main body 120 and a cover 130. When the cover 130 is removed, a light emitting unit 140 is provided inside. The cable identification tool 100 also includes opening means 170 for supplying power to the light emitting unit 140 from the outside.

  In the problem of the prior art, the LAN cable has been described as an example, but neither the cable nor the connector need be limited to the LAN. Further, it is not necessary to limit the shape to a round cable, and it is not necessary to limit the shape to a connector having the same size as the cable identification tool. Furthermore, the position where the cable identification tool is attached need not be the end of the cable to which the connector is attached. As will be described later, the cable identification tool of the present invention can be used as long as the cable includes two or more conductors.

  First, the structure of the cable identification tool without a boot will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the developed cable identification tool. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a side view, FIG. 3C is a front view, and FIG. 3D is a rear view. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the developed cable identification tool. 4A is a perspective view of the front side obliquely from above, FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the front side obliquely from below, and FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the back side obliquely from above. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the cable identification tool is attached to the cable with connector. 5A is a side view, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5A (however, the internal structure of the cable is omitted), and FIG. 5C is FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the BB line of A) (however, the internal structure of a cable is abbreviate | omitted). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of the light emitting unit. 6A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example that does not include a bridge circuit, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example that includes a bridge circuit.

  The cable identification tool 100 includes a main body 110 and a base 180. The main body 110 includes a main body 120 and a cover 130. The main body 120 includes a first contact 151, a second contact 152, and a light emitting unit 140. The first contact 151 and the second contact 152 are separately connected to the two conductors 901 and 902 of the target cable 900. The main body body 120 is also formed with a first opening 171 and a second opening 172. The cover 130 is formed of a material that transmits visible light, and covers the light emitting element 145. For example, if a milky white translucent material is used, the light of the light emitting element 145 can be diffused so that the operator can easily recognize it. The cover 130 includes a cover claw 131 for fixing to the main body 120. Further, the cover 130 is formed with a third opening 173 and a fourth opening 174. Note that the cores 903 to 906 of the cable 900 shown in FIG. 5 are cores used for communication and power supply via the connector 990, and even a conductive core is an optical fiber or the like. Also good.

  The light-emitting portion 140 includes at least a first conductor 141, a second conductor 142, and a light-emitting element 145 as shown in FIG. The first conductor 141 is electrically connected to the first contact 151. The second conductor 142 is electrically connected to the second contact 152. The light emitting element 145 emits light when predetermined power is supplied between the first conductor 141 and the second conductor 142. For example, an LED may be used as the light emitting element 145. In the case of a general LED, light is emitted when a predetermined current is supplied at a predetermined voltage. The light emitting unit 140 may also include a conductive material 143 that reliably contacts the first conductor 141 and the first contact 151 and a conductive material 144 that reliably contacts the second conductor 142 and the second contact 152. . As the conductive materials 143 and 144, for example, solder may be used.

  Note that the light emitting unit 140 may include a bridge circuit 146 as shown in FIG. If the bridge circuit 146 is provided, even when the light emitting element 145 has polarity, the light emitting element 145 can be attached without worrying about the polarity when attached to the cable 900. If the cable identification tool is attached to the cable at the factory, it can be considered that it is relatively easy to attach it while checking the polarity even in the configuration of FIG. However, when a cable identification tool is installed on site after the cable is routed, it is difficult to install it while checking the polarity. In such a case, it is convenient if a bridge circuit 146 is provided.

  The first opening 171, the second opening 172, the third opening 173, and the fourth opening 174 constitute the opening means 170. The first opening 171 opens in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. The second opening 172 opens in the same direction as the first opening 171. The third opening 173 opens in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. The fourth opening 174 opens in the same direction as the third opening. Here, consider a place where the connector 990 is inserted. When the object into which the connector 990 is inserted (in the case of LAN, a hub or router) is arranged on a shelf or under a desk, the insertion port is often in the horizontal direction. In such a case, the operator's line of sight is in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. Therefore, it is easy to check the first opening 171 and the second opening 172, and it is easy to supply external power from the first opening 171 and the second opening 172. On the other hand, when the object into which the connector 990 is inserted is installed on a wall or a side surface of a desk and the insertion port faces downward, the operator's line of sight is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. Therefore, it is easy to check the third opening 173 and the fourth opening 174, and it is easy to supply external power from the third opening 173 and the fourth opening 174. As described above, by providing four openings as the opening means, it is possible to cope with various work environments.

  The first contact 151 includes a first slit 153 that holds the conducting wire 901, a first contact body 155 that is disposed at a position corresponding to the first opening 171, and a first contact portion 157 that contacts the first conductor 141. And have. The second contact 152 includes a second slit portion 154 that holds the conducting wire 902, a second contact body 156 that is disposed at a position corresponding to the second opening 172, and a second contact portion 158 that contacts the second conductor 142. And have. The first conductor 141 is disposed at a position corresponding to the third opening 173, and the second conductor 142 is disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth opening 174. The first contact 151, the second contact 152, the first conductor 141, and the second conductor 142 are housed inside the main body body 120. However, since the first contact body 155 is disposed at a position corresponding to the first opening 171, it is possible to contact the first contact body 155 by inserting a pin from the first opening 171. Similarly, if a pin is inserted from the second opening 172, the second contact body 156 can be contacted, and if a pin is inserted from the third opening 173, the first conductor 141 can be contacted, and the pin is inserted from the fourth opening 174. If inserted, the second conductor 142 can be contacted. Therefore, electric power can be supplied from the outside through the opening means. Further, the width of the first conductor 141 may be increased at the portion facing the third opening 173. A portion facing the fourth opening 174 may increase the width of the second conductor 142. In this way, if the width of the first conductor 141 and the second conductor 142 is increased, it is easy to supply power from the outside.

  The base 180 is attachment means for attaching the main body 110 to the cable 900. For example, the main body 120 has a cable contact surface 125 that contacts the cable 900 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the cover 130 is disposed. The base 180 has a cable fixing surface 185 that contacts the cable 900. Then, the cable identification tool 100 is fixed to the cable 900 by sandwiching the cable 900 between the cable fixing surface 185 and the cable contact surface 125. Furthermore, if the convex portion 127 is formed on the cable contact surface 125 and the convex portion 187 is formed on the cable fixing surface 185, the cable identification tool 100 can be reliably fixed by the cable 900. In order to easily fix the main body 120 and the base 180, the main body claw 128 may be formed on the main body 120, and the base fixing portion 188 coupled to the main body claw 128 may be formed on the base 180.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the first contact 151 is arranged in the order of the first contact portion 157, the first contact body 155, and the first slit portion 153 in the direction of the base 180. Further, the second contact 152 is arranged in the order of the second contact portion 158, the second contact body 156, and the second slit portion 154 in the direction of the base 180. The base 180 is formed with a contact groove 183 into which the first slit portion 153 is inserted and a contact groove 184 into which the second slit portion 154 is inserted. Further, the base 180 is formed with a conductor groove 181 that holds the conductor 901 at a position that passes when the first slit portion 153 is inserted, and at a position that passes when the second slit portion 154 is inserted. A conductor groove 182 for holding the conductor 902 is formed. With such a structure, the two conductors 901 and 902 of the cable 900 have the first slit portion 153 and the second slit portion 154 when the cable 900 is sandwiched between the base 180 and the main body 110 (or the main body body 120). Are gripped separately.

  Next, returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the boot 500 will be described. The boot 500 includes a boot body 510, a first guide 521, and a second guide 522. The boot body 510 is fixed to the cable 900 adjacent to the surface of the main body 110 where the first opening 171 and the second opening 172 are formed, and protects the cable 900 from being bent suddenly. The first guide 521 is a groove formed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900, and the deepest portion of the groove faces the first opening 171. The second guide 522 is a groove formed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900, and the deepest portion of the groove faces the second opening 172. When attaching the boot 500, the boot fixing part 129 may be formed on the main body 110 of the cable identification tool 100, and the boot fixing part 189 may be formed on the base 180. Since the boot 500 has such a structure, it is easy to work when external power is supplied from the first opening 171 and the second opening 172.

<Cable identification method>
FIG. 7 shows a state of wiring when a plurality of cable identification tools are attached to the cable. When a plurality of cable discriminators 100-1,..., N (where N is an integer of 2 or more) is attached to the cable 900, wiring as shown in FIG. A plurality of first contacts 151-1,..., N are connected to the conducting wire 901, and a plurality of second contacts 152 are connected to the conducting wire 902. In the case of the cable identification tool including the bridge circuit shown in FIG. 6B, the contact connected to the conducting wire 901 is called a first contact, and the contact connected to the conducting wire 902 is called a second contact. To do.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power supply device for supplying power to the cable identification tool 100-n (where n is an integer of 1 to N). The power supply device 200 includes a power supply main body 210, pins 221 and 222, and cords 223 and 224. The power supply main body 210 includes a DC power supply 211 and a resistor 212. Power is supplied to the pins 221 and 222 via the cords 223 and 224.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which power is supplied to the cable identification tool from the outside. The power may be supplied by inserting the pins 221 and 222 from the first opening 171 and the second opening 172, or the power may be supplied by inserting the pins 221 and 222 from the third opening 173 and the fourth opening 174. May be supplied. Although two sets of pins 221 and 222 are shown in FIG. 9, actual power supply may be performed by a set of pins 221 and 222. That is, the pins 221 and 222 may be inserted from the direction in which the worker can easily work (power supply step). Note that the operator can confirm that the power can be supplied by the cable identification tool emitting light. In the case of the cable identification tool having the polarity shown in FIG. 6A, if the pins 221 and 222 are reversed, the light emitting unit 140 does not emit light. Therefore, the worker can recognize that the direction is reversed. In the case where the bridge circuit 146 shown in FIG. 6B is provided, light is emitted even if the pins 221 and 222 are reversed, so there is no need to be aware of the polarity of the pins.

  FIG. 10 shows a state when power is supplied to one cable identification tool. For example, when power is supplied to the cable identification tool 100-1 from the outside, the light emitting unit 140-1 emits light with the power supplied through the opening means. And the other light emission parts 140-2, ..., N emits light with the electric power supplied via conducting wire 901,902. The operator confirms the correspondence of the cables by searching for the cable identifiers 100-2, ..., N that are emitting light (confirmation step). Note that the confirmation step is performed while maintaining a state where power is supplied. If the power supply device 200 also includes power supply maintaining means that allows the power supply device 200 to maintain the power supply state, one operator can maintain the power supply state while maintaining the correspondence relationship between the cables at other positions. Can be confirmed. As the power supply maintaining means, a fixing tool such as a clip that maintains the state where the pins 221 and 222 are inserted into the opening means can be considered.

  Thus, according to the cable identification tool and the cable identification method of the present invention, a plurality of cable identification tools can be attached to one cable. When a cable is specified at any position where the cable identifier is attached, all the cable identifiers can be made to emit light by supplying predetermined power to the cable identifier. That is, in a place where a cable cannot be specified (a place where a cable is desired to be specified), the operator can be shown a cable to be selected.

[Modification 1]
FIG. 11 shows a modification of the attaching means. The base 180 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 was separated from the main body 120. The cable identification tool 100 of FIG. 11 also includes a connecting portion 186. The connecting portion 186 connects a part of the base 180 and a part of the main body 120 in a rotatable state. By rotating the main body 120 with respect to the base 180, the cable fixing state and the cable are connected. The opened state (state where the cable is inserted) can be changed.

[Modification 2]
FIG. 12 shows an example in which the direction of the light emitting unit is changed. FIG. 12A illustrates a case where the normal direction of the surface on which the light emitting unit 140 is disposed is 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. FIG. 12B illustrates a case where the normal direction of the surface on which the light emitting unit 140 is disposed matches the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. The normal line of the surface on which the light emitting unit 140 shown in FIG. 1B is arranged was a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. This direction is convenient when the operator's line of sight when inserting and removing the connector 990 is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable 900. However, the vertical direction is not always convenient. It is also possible to select the angle of the light emitting unit 140 of the main body 120 according to the work environment in which the connector 990 is inserted and removed.

  For example, the direction in which the light emission amount of the light emitting element 145 is large is made to coincide with the normal direction of the surface on which the light emitting unit 140 is disposed. Then, the angle of the surface on which the light emitting unit 140 is disposed may be selected so as to adapt to the work environment. With such a structure, the third opening 173 and the fourth opening 174 open in the same direction as the direction in which the light emitting element 145 emits a large amount of light.

  The present invention can be used for work for checking a cable in a place where the cable is congested.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Cable identification tool 110 Main body 120 Main body body 125 Cable contact surface 127,187 Protrusion part 128 Main body nail | claw 129,189 Boot fixing | fixed part 130 Cover 131 Cover nail | claw 140 Light emission part 141 1st conductor 142 2nd conductor 143, 144 Conductive material 145 Light emission Element 146 Bridge circuit 151 1st contact 152 2nd contact 153 1st slit part 154 2nd slit part 155 1st contact body 156 2nd contact body 157 1st contact part 158 2nd contact part 170 Opening means 171 1st opening part 172 Second opening 173 Third opening 174 Fourth opening 180 Base 181, 182 Conductive groove 183, 184 Contact groove 185 Cable fixing surface 186 Connecting part 188 Base fixing part 200 Power supply device 210 Power supply body 211 DC power supply 212 Resistor 221, 222 Pin 223, 224 Code 500 Boot 510 Boot body 521 First guide 522 Second guide 900 Cable 901, 902 Conductor 903-906 Core wire 990 Connector

Claims (8)

In order to confirm the correspondence of the cable, a cable identification tool attached to the target cable,
A first contact and a second contact for separately connecting to the two conductors of the cable;
A predetermined power is supplied between the first conductor electrically connected to the first contact, the second conductor electrically connected to the second contact, and the first conductor and the second conductor. A light emitting unit having a light emitting element that emits light in a case;
A main body formed of a material that transmits visible light and having a cover that covers the light emitting element;
Mounting means for fixing the cable identifier to the cable;
Opening means formed for supplying electric power from the outside between the first conductor and the second conductor;
A cable identification device comprising: The cable identification tool according to claim 1,
The opening means is
A first opening opening in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable;
A second opening opening in the same direction as the first opening;
A third opening opening in the same direction as the direction in which the light emitting element emits a large amount of light;
A fourth opening that opens in the same direction as the third opening,
The first contact includes a first slit portion that grips a conductive wire, a first contact body that is disposed at a position corresponding to the first opening, and a first contact portion that contacts the first conductor. ,
The second contact includes a second slit portion that grips a conductive wire, a second contact body that is disposed at a position corresponding to the second opening, and a second contact portion that contacts the second conductor. ,
The first conductor is disposed at a position corresponding to the third opening,
The cable identifying tool, wherein the second conductor is disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth opening. The cable identification tool according to claim 1,
The opening means is
A first opening opening in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable;
A second opening opening in the same direction as the first opening;
A third opening opening in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable;
A fourth opening that opens in the same direction as the third opening,
The first contact includes a first slit portion that grips a conductive wire, a first contact body that is disposed at a position corresponding to the first opening, and a first contact portion that contacts the first conductor. ,
The second contact includes a second slit portion that grips a conductive wire, a second contact body that is disposed at a position corresponding to the second opening, and a second contact portion that contacts the second conductor. ,
The first conductor is disposed at a position corresponding to the third opening,
The cable identifying tool, wherein the second conductor is disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth opening. The cable identification tool according to claim 2 or 3,
The main body has a cable contact surface in contact with the cable on a surface opposite to a surface on which the cover is disposed,
The attachment means is a base having a cable fixing surface that comes into contact with the cable, and means for fixing the cable identification tool to the cable by sandwiching the cable between the cable fixing surface and the cable contact surface. And
The first contact is disposed in the order of the first contact portion, the first contact body, and the first slit portion in the direction of the base,
The second contact is arranged in the order of the second contact portion, the second contact body, and the second slit portion in the direction of the base,
The two conductors of the cable are separately held by the first slit and the second slit when the cable is sandwiched between the base and the main body. The cable identification tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A groove formed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable, wherein the deepest portion of the groove is opposed to the first opening;
A groove formed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable, wherein the deepest portion of the groove is opposed to the second opening,
And a boot that is fixed to the cable adjacent to a surface of the main body on which the first opening and the second opening are formed. It is a cable identification tool in any one of Claims 1-5,
The light emitting unit also includes a bridge circuit that supplies power corresponding to the polarity of the light emitting element to the light emitting element regardless of the polarity of power supplied to the first conductor and the second conductor. Cable identification tool. A cable identification method for confirming a correspondence relationship of a cable in which a plurality of cable identification tools according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are attached,
In the plurality of cable identifiers, the first contacts of all the cable identifiers are connected to one conductor of the cable, and the second contacts of all the cable identifiers are connected to the other conductor of the cable. Attached to the cable,
By supplying electric power using the opening means between the first conductor and the second conductor of any one of the cable identifiers, the first conductor and the other conductors of all the other cable identifiers A power supply step of supplying the predetermined power between the second conductor using the one conductor and the other conductor;
A cable identification method comprising: a confirmation step of confirming a correspondence relationship of cables by searching for the cable identification tool emitting light by the power supply step. A cable identification method for confirming a correspondence relationship of a cable having a plurality of cable identification tools according to claim 6 attached thereto,
A plurality of the cable identifiers are attached to the cable in a state where the first contact and the second contact are separately connected to the two conductors of the cable,
By supplying electric power using the opening means between the first conductor and the second conductor of any one of the cable identifiers, the first conductor and the other conductors of all the other cable identifiers A power supply step of supplying the predetermined power between the second conductor using the one conductor and the other conductor;
A cable identification method comprising: a confirmation step of confirming a correspondence relationship of cables by searching for the cable identification tool emitting light by the power supply step.

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