JP2014090397A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform desired operation without turning ON a power supply of an operation display section in an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an operation display section and can switch a normal power mode and a power saving mode. The image forming apparatus includes: an NFC R/W section 71 for reading operation setting information of an NFC token; and a controller 10 for controlling operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller 10 is started in accordance with reading of the operation setting information in the NFC token of the NFC R/W section 71 in the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus and controls the operation in response to the operation setting information without turning ON a power supply of the operation display section in response to an instruction of a start key which can be operated in the power saving mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly, to read operation setting information of the image forming apparatus transmitted from a short-range communication device by short-range communication, and to perform image formation that can be operated based on the read operation setting information The present invention relates to an apparatus and an image forming method.

  In some image forming apparatuses, hard keys such as numeric keys and function keys are reduced for cost reduction, and a desired setting operation is performed on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) touch panel. In addition, in order to improve the user's ease of use, near field communication (hereinafter referred to as NFC), which is wireless communication with an extremely short reach (transmission) distance of about 1 meter to several centimeters, is used. An image forming apparatus that identifies an individual and updates and displays the screen of the operation unit for each user is already known.

  As described above, for example, an image forming apparatus that updates and displays the screen of the operation unit for each user using NFC is known. This image forming apparatus stores an NFC-R / W (reader / writer apparatus; reading and writing apparatus) capable of reading and writing information with respect to an NFC token, an operation panel, and storage for storing customization information for each user. Means and an NFC control unit, which allows operation on the customization screen reflecting the log information of the functions used up to the previous time only by holding the NFC token in a non-network environment. .

  Specifically, the NFC control unit obtains customization information held in the NFC token by NFC, compares the obtained customization information with the customization information held in the storage unit, and displays a customization screen for each user. Display on the operation panel. Also, the NFC control unit holds the log information when selected on the customization screen in the NFC token, collates the customization information for each user including the log information with the customization information stored in the storage means, and displays the customization screen. I try to update it.

  However, in such an image forming apparatus that performs a desired setting operation on the LCD touch panel regardless of the hard keys, from the viewpoint of power saving, the power supply of the LCD touch panel must be turned on when performing the desired setting operation. Therefore, there is a problem that power is consumed accordingly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to turn on an operation display unit in an image forming apparatus that includes an operation display unit and can be switched between a normal power mode and a power saving mode. It is possible to reduce the power consumption by allowing a desired operation to be performed.

  The present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes an operation display unit and can be switched between a normal power mode and a power saving mode, and a reader that reads operation setting information of a short-range communication device, and a control that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus And the control means is activated in response to reading of operation setting information in the short-range communication device of the reader when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, and is operable in the power saving mode. An image forming apparatus that performs operation control based on the operation setting information without turning on the power of the operation display unit based on a start instruction from a simple start instruction unit.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that includes an operation display unit and can be switched between a normal power mode and a power saving mode, a desired operation can be performed without turning on the operation display unit. Can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the external view of a NFC token, and the data content in a NFC token. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an operation unit in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a controller performs when the NFC token of a scanner setting is read in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by a controller when an NFC token for print settings is read in the image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining an example of the LCD touch panel which performs the setting of this image forming apparatus from the electronic information communication terminal which is an external device. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a controller performs in order not to transfer to energy saving mode by putting an NFC token on the NFC R / W part. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure performed by a controller in order to turn on the LCD by detecting that the touch panel on the operation unit is detected and detecting that the touch panel is touched in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when counting the frequency | count that the NFC token was deceived and performing copy operation | movement for the frequency | count. When an image forming apparatus is provided with a means for authenticating a user by an NFC authentication device, it is a diagram showing an operation unit that displays to the user which of NFC operation and authentication is executed. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen in the operation part for enabling the setting of the specific return factor from energy saving to be turned on or off. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for notifying that when the image forming apparatus detects that the deceived data is read. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation part structure which displays the function started by the setting of the read NFC device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence for displaying the function started by the setting of the read NFC device.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of short-range communication with a short-range communication device, here an NFC token, here NFC communication. Here, setting information (operation setting information) of an operation to be performed by an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Function Product) is recorded in advance in an NFC token, and the operation setting is performed by causing the image forming apparatus to read the setting information. Enable.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 10, an image processing / engine control unit 20 connected to the controller 10, a FAX unit 50 that controls FAX communication, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 60, and an NFC device. It is comprised from the operation part 70 provided with the NFC R / W part 71 which can read and write data with respect to (here NFC token).

Here, the image processing / engine control unit 20 is connected to and controlled by an image reading unit 30 having a mechanism for reading a document and a plotter unit 40 for outputting an image to a sheet.
The controller 10 is a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 that are connected to each other via a bus 18. And an external connection device I / F (interface) 14 for connecting to a computer (USB) that controls data transmission with the computer, an operation unit I / F 15, an NFC I / F 16, The network I / F 17 is configured.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, all the modules constituting the image forming apparatus 1 are energized in the standby state, that is, in the normal power mode. However, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the power saving mode for reducing power consumption, only the controller 10 and the NFC R / W unit 71 are energized. Note that switching between the power saving mode and the normal power mode, that is, mode transition (mode switching) from the normal power mode to the power saving mode or vice versa is performed by the controller 10 as the control means.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external view of an NFC token used in the image forming apparatus 1 and contents of data in the NFC token.
In this example, the NFC token is a coin-type tag that is hung on a wall, for example.
In the NFC token 101 described as “Copy Color A4: 1”, operation setting information regarding color copying in the image forming apparatus 1 is recorded in a storage area in the NFC token 101.

In the NFC token 102 described as “Copy Monochrome A4: 1”, operation setting information for monochrome copying in the image forming apparatus 1 is recorded in a storage area in the NFC token 102.
In the NFC token 103 described as “Scan to Me”, operation setting information for sending scanned data in the image forming apparatus 1 is recorded in a storage area in the NFC token 103.
The NFC token 104 with “Print” written in the storage area in the NFC token 104 includes operation setting information for printing in the image forming apparatus 1, in this case, data that can identify the terminal that requested the print. Setting information is recorded.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation unit 70 in the image forming apparatus 1.
In this example, the operation unit 70 includes a home key 300 for displaying a home screen, an energy saving key 301 for shifting the image forming apparatus 1 to a power saving mode state with low power consumption, and a printing interruption for interrupting and processing the printing interruption. A key 302, an operation key 303 of the NFC R / W unit 71 capable of reading and writing operation setting information of the NFC device, a start key 304 for starting processing of the image forming apparatus 1, an LCD serving as a display unit, and an operation panel. An operation unit 70 including a certain LCD touch panel 305 (here, both are collectively referred to as an “operation display unit”) is provided.
Here, those operable in the energy saving state (in the power saving mode) include an energy saving key 301 for shifting to the power saving mode or returning to the normal state, an operation key 303 of the NFC R / W unit 71, and a start. Key 304.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the controller 10 when the NFC token 103 with the scanner setting is read by the NFC R / W unit 71 in the present embodiment.
In the power saving mode in which only the controller 10 and the NFC R / W unit 71 are energized as shown in FIG. 1, first, it is determined whether or not the NFC token 103 of the scanner setting has been read by the NFC R / W unit 71. (S101). Here, when the NFC token 103 is read (S101, YES), the activation process of the controller 10 in the sleep state is started (S102). After the activation process of the controller 10 is completed, the image processing / engine control unit 20 and the image reading unit 30 are turned on (S103). Next, it is confirmed that the start key 304, which is a start instructing means of the operation unit 70 serving as a trigger for starting processing, is pressed (S104). When the start key 304 is pressed (S104, YES), based on the setting read from the NFC token 103, the image reading unit 30 is controlled to start reading an original (S105). finish.

In step S104, when the start key 304 is not pressed (S104, NO) and the state of waiting for the start key 304 to be pressed is a predetermined time, in this case 60 seconds (S106, YES), the mode again shifts to the power saving mode. (S107), this process ends.
By controlling the image forming apparatus 1 based on this control flow, a desired operation can be realized from the energy saving state while the LCD power supply of the operation unit 70 is turned off, and an energy saving effect can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the controller 10 when the print setting NFC token 104 is read in the image forming apparatus 1.
First, in the power saving mode in which only the controller 10 and the NFC R / W unit 71 in FIG. 1 are energized, it is determined whether or not the NFC token 104 for print settings has been read by the NFC R / W unit 71. (S201). When the NFC token 104 has been read (S201, YES), the activation process of the controller 10 in the sleep state is started (S202). After the activation process of the controller 10 is completed, data that can identify the terminal that requested the print is read from the NFC token 104 (S203). Subsequently, the image processing / engine control unit 20 and the plotter unit 40 are turned on (S204). Next, it is confirmed that the start key 304, which is a start instruction means serving as a trigger for starting the process, is pressed (S205). When the start key 304 is pressed (S205, YES), the plotter unit 40 is controlled to start the printing operation (S206), and this process is terminated.
In step S205, when the start key 304 is not pressed (S205, NO), and when a predetermined time, ie, 60 seconds has elapsed while waiting for the start key 304 to be pressed (S207, YES), the mode again shifts to the power saving mode. (S208), this process ends.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the LCD touch panel 501 for setting the image forming apparatus 1 from an electronic information communication terminal (not shown) which is an external device provided with means capable of communicating by NFC.
The electronic information communication terminal has an application that can set operation setting information necessary for processing of the image forming apparatus 1, and data communication with the NFC R / W unit 71 of the image forming apparatus 1 is performed from the LCD touch panel 501. Desired operation is possible.
On the LCD touch panel 501 of the electronic information communication terminal, for example, as shown in the figure, copy, color, size A4, and number 5 are displayed as the setting mode, and this setting operation is possible.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the controller 10 so as not to shift to the energy saving mode by placing any NFC token on the NFC R / W unit 71.
It is determined whether any NFC token is held over the NFC R / W unit 71 in FIG. 1 (S301). If it is held over (S301, YES), it does not shift to the power saving mode. When it is not held over (S301, NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (S302). When a predetermined time has elapsed after counting with a timer (not shown) (S302, YES), the process shifts to the power saving mode (S303), and the process ends.

  Thus, when the image forming apparatus 1 is to be used again immediately, one of the NFC tokens is held over the NFC R / W unit 71. In practice, for example, the NFC R / W unit is placed on the NFC R / W unit 71. When 71 continuously reads the operation setting information of the NFC token, the state of the power mode does not change to the power saving mode, and the next operation of the image forming apparatus 1 can be performed quickly.

FIG. 8 shows that the image forming apparatus 1 includes detection means (not shown) that can detect that the touch panel on the operation unit 70 has been touched, and the LCD touch panel is turned on by detecting that the touch panel has been touched. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the controller 10 in order to achieve the above.
In the state of the power saving mode in which only the controller 10 and the NFC R / W unit 71 are energized as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the NFC token 103 of the scanner setting is read by the NFC R / W unit 71 here. It is determined whether or not (S401). When it is read (S401, YES), the activation process of the controller 10 in the sleep state is started (S402). After the activation process of the controller 10 is completed, the image processing / engine control unit 20 and the image reading unit 30 are turned on (S403).

  Next, the LCD touch panel is turned on while the LCD power of the operation unit 70 is turned off (S404). When the touch of the LCD touch panel can be detected by turning on the power of the LCD touch panel, it is determined whether or not the user touches the LCD touch panel (S405). When the LCD touch panel is not touched (S405, NO), it is confirmed that the start key 304 as a trigger for starting the process is pressed (S406). When the start key 304 is pressed (S406, YES), based on the settings read from the scanner setting NFC token 103, the image reading unit 30 is controlled to start reading an original (S407). Exit.

In step S406, when the start key 304 is not pressed (S406, NO) and the state of waiting for the start key 304 to be pressed has elapsed for 60 seconds (S408, YES), the mode again shifts to the power saving mode (S409). The process ends.
In step S405, when it is detected by the detection means that the touch panel has been touched (S405, YES), the LCD power is turned on (S410), and then the normal standby mode is entered (S411), and this process ends. To do.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the number of times the NFC token has been deceived is counted and the copy operation is performed for that number.
The present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, first, in the power saving mode in which only the controller 10 and the NFC R / W unit 71 in FIG. 1 are energized, it is determined whether the NFC token for copy setting has been read by the NFC R / W unit 71 (S501). ). Here, if it is read, the controller activation process in the sleep state is started (S502). After the controller activation process is completed, the token reading number counter is set to N = 1 and stored in the storage area of the ROM 13 on the controller 10 (S503). At the same time, the image processing / engine control unit 20, the image reading unit 30, and the plotter unit 40 are turned on (S504). Next, it is determined whether or not the start key on the operation unit has been pressed (S505). If the start key has not been pressed (S505, NO), it is determined again whether the same NFC token has been deceived (S506). If the same NFC token is deceived (S506, YES), the counter stored in the controller storage area is incremented by 1 and updated (S507).
When the start key is pressed in step S505 (S505, YES), the copy operation is started based on the NFC data and the counter information stored in the storage area (S508). That is, the number of copies corresponding to the count value of the counter is performed.

Next, in the case where the image forming apparatus includes means for authenticating a user using an NFC authentication device, a description will be given of displaying to the user which of NFC operation and authentication is to be executed.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit that displays to the user whether to perform NFC operation or authentication in this case.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the operation unit 606 includes a home key 600 that displays a home screen, an energy saving key 601 that causes the image forming apparatus to transition to a power saving mode state with low power consumption, and printing that interrupts and processes printing interruption. An interrupt key 602, an NFC R / W 603 that can read and write an NFC device, a start key 604 that starts processing of the image forming apparatus, a liquid crystal display LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a touch panel 605, an LED 607 that displays authentication, and settings The displayed LED 608 is provided.

  Here, what can be operated in the energy saving state are an energy saving key 601, an NFC R / W 603, and a start key 604 that shift to the power saving mode or return to the normal state. In the present embodiment, either one of the LED 607 displayed as authentication and the LED 608 displayed as setting is exclusively lit. Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus having the authentication function, it is possible to notify the user of at a glance which one of NFC storing the authentication ID or NFC storing the operation setting is to be saved.

Next, a description will be given of enabling a specific return factor from energy saving to be set to ON or OFF, and enabling other return factors to be set when performing an NFC operation.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen on the operation unit for enabling the setting of a specific return factor from energy saving to be turned on or off.
In the conventional image forming apparatus, in order to improve the user-friendliness, various sensors are provided to realize energy saving return. For example, the opening / closing of the ADF, the document set, and the print request from the network shown in FIG. 11 are the energy saving return factors in the image forming apparatus.

However, in an image forming apparatus that realizes a desired operation while the LCD is turned off by an NFC operation, there is a problem that the target power saving cannot be realized because the LCD starts up when energy saving is restored due to these energy saving restoration factors. For example, if the user desires to make a copy with the NFC operation setting, if the original is set first, the energy saving is automatically restored.
Therefore, in order to solve this problem, in the present embodiment, the ON / OFF setting of the energy saving return factor is enabled, and the setting content is stored in, for example, the ROM 13 which is the storage area of the controller 10 in FIG. It aims to achieve the targeted power saving.

  According to the present embodiment, all the energy-saving return factors such as opening / closing of ADF, document setting, printing request from the network are turned off, and only NFC operation is set to ON, for example, even if the document is set first, Since the setting of the energy saving return factor based on it is OFF, the energy saving return is not performed.

Next, a description will be given of notification when data held in a token is read with the token being deceived.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for notifying that when the image forming apparatus detects that the deceived data has been read.
In FIG. 12, first, in the state of the power saving mode in which only the controller 10 and the NFC R / W unit 71 are energized, it is determined whether or not the NFC R / W unit 71 of the copy setting has been read by the NFC R / W unit 71 (S601). . If it has been read (S601, YES), the controller activation process in the sleep state is started (S602). After the controller activation process is completed, in order to clearly notify the user that the NFC has been read, a notification signal, here, a buzzer sound is output (S603), and the token read count counter is set to N = 1 and stored in the storage area. (S604).

  Further, the image processing / engine control unit 20, the image reading unit 30, and the plotter 40 are powered on (S605). Next, it is determined whether or not the start key 604 of the operation unit has been pressed (S606). If the start key 604 has not been pressed (S606, NO), it is determined again whether the same NFC token has been deceived (S607). If the same NFC token is deceived (S607, YES), a buzzer sound is output to clearly notify the user that the NFC has been read (S608), and the counter information stored in the controller storage area ( The count value is incremented by 1 and updated (S609).

When the start key 604 is pressed in step S606 (S606, YES), a copy operation is started based on the NFC data and the counter information stored in the storage area (S610), and the copy is performed for the count value. This process ends.
In this embodiment, the same number of copies is performed according to the count value. However, the count value is printed in association with the operation setting information held in the token, or an instruction for outputting other processing. It may be used. That is, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, specific processing output based on the operation setting can be performed based on the count value of the count unit.

Next, the display of the function activated by the setting of the NFC device read by deceiving the token will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an operation unit that displays a function activated by setting of a read NFC device.
The operation unit 806 includes a home key 800 for displaying a home screen, an energy saving key 801 for shifting the image forming apparatus to a power saving mode state with low power consumption, a printing interruption key 802 for interrupting and processing a printing interruption, and an NFC device. Read / write NFC R / W 803, start key 804 for starting processing of the image forming apparatus, liquid crystal display LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and touch panel 805, LED 807 for informing that the copy function has started, and scan function have been started LED 808 for informing that this is the case, and LED 809 for notifying that the print function has been activated.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying the function activated by the setting of the read NFC device.
In the power saving mode in which only the controller 10 and the NFC R / W unit 71 in FIG. 1 are energized, it is determined whether the NFC R / W unit 71 has read the scanner-set NFC token (S701). Here, when it is read (S701, YES), the controller activation process in the sleep state is started (S702). After completion of the controller activation process, the image processing / engine control unit 20 and the image reading unit 30 are turned on (S703). When the image forming apparatus is in a state where the scanner function can be realized, the LED 808 displayed as the scanner on the operation unit is turned on to notify the user (S704).

Next, it is confirmed that the start key 804 serving as a trigger for starting processing is pressed (S705). When the start key 804 is pressed (S705, YES), an operation for reading a document is started based on the setting read from the NFC token (S706).
In step S705, when the start key 804 is not pressed (S705, NO), for example, when 60 seconds have elapsed (S707, YES), the process again shifts to the power saving mode (S708), and the process is terminated.

  According to the present embodiment, since the function that has started up is lit and displayed by the LEDs (807, 808, 809), it can be easily determined whether the NFC read by the user is as intended. That is, when an NFC token unintended by the user is read, it is immediately determined that an error has occurred.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the setting of an operation desired to be performed by the image forming apparatus is recorded in the NFC token, and is read by the image forming apparatus (NFC R / W unit) to be stored in the image forming apparatus. It can be set. Further, even in an image forming apparatus that realizes a desired operation with the LCD touch panel of the operation unit, operation information setting or the like can be realized without turning on the power of the LCD touch panel, thereby reducing power consumption. it can.
In the above description, the touch panel is LC (liquid crystal), but is not limited thereto. Other display means such as EL (Electro Luminescence) may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 10 ... Controller, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... RAM, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... I / F for external connection apparatuses, 15 ... Operation part I / F, 16 ... NFC I / F, 17 ... Network I / F, 18 ... Bus, 20 ... Image processing / engine control unit, 30 ... Image reading unit, 40 .. Plotter unit, 50... FAX unit, 60... HDD, 70... Operation unit, 71... NFC R / W unit, 101, 102, 103, 104.

JP 2010-263484 A

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus comprising an operation display unit and capable of switching between a normal power mode and a power saving mode,
A reader for reading operation setting information of the short-range communication device, and a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus,
The control means is activated in response to the reading of operation setting information in the short-range communication device of the reader when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, and is a start instruction means operable in the power saving mode. An image forming apparatus that performs operation control based on the operation setting information without turning on the power of the operation display unit based on a start instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus in which the control unit shifts to a power saving mode when a predetermined time has elapsed while waiting for a start instruction from the start instruction unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The image forming apparatus is a reader / writer in which the reader includes means for writing the operation setting information in the short-range communication device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming apparatus capable of reading the operation setting information transmitted from an external device through short-range communication. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming apparatus that does not shift to the power saving mode on the condition that the reader is reading the operation setting information of the short-range communication device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Having a detecting means for detecting a touch on the operation panel of the operation display unit;
The control means is activated in response to reading of operation setting information in the short-range communication device of the reader to turn on the power of the operation panel in the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus, and the operation An image forming apparatus that turns on the power of the display unit of the operation display unit on condition that a touch on the panel is detected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a counting unit that counts the number of times operation setting information is read in the short-range communication device, and performing a specific processing output based on the operation setting information based on a count value of the counting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for authenticating a user by the short-range communication device; and means for displaying to the user which of the operation setting information in the short-range communication device and the authentication is to be executed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus that can set the energy saving return factor ON or OFF. An image forming method in an image forming apparatus, comprising an operation display unit and a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus, wherein the normal power mode and the power saving mode can be switched.
A step of reading operation setting information of the short-range communication device with a reader; a step of activating the control means in response to reading of operation setting information in the short-range communication device of the reader in the power saving mode; and the control A step of performing operation control based on the operation setting information without turning on the power of the operation display unit based on a start instruction of a start instruction unit operable in the power saving mode;
An image forming method in an image forming apparatus having the above.

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