JP2020119010A - Bidding apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bidding apparatus and a program that make it easier for a user who lost a bid to feel more satisfied than an existing bid method.SOLUTION: A bidding apparatus includes bidding screen generation means 21 that presents a bidding screen including a plurality of purchase targets, bidding reception means 22 that receives bidding points for the selected purchase target, winning bidder determination means 24 that determines a winning bidder of the purchase target based on the bidding points, point processing means 23 that, for a user who becomes the winning bidder by a competition between the users, subtracting the bidding points from points owned by the user, and for a user who cannot bid, returning all or some of the bidding points to the points owned by the user, and settlement processing means 25 that executes settlement processing of a purchase price of the purchase target for the winning bidder separately from processing of the point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a bidding device and a program.

Conventionally, a content distribution system and a server have been proposed in which a bid is made by an auction method, and a successful bidder downloads the content to distribute the content (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

The content distribution system described in Patent Document 1 includes a server connected to the Internet and a terminal, and is a content distribution system that distributes content registered in the server to the terminal via the Internet. Enter personal information through the terminal to register as a member, the server issues a predetermined number of points to the user who has registered as a member, and the user uses the issued points to Is to be distributed.

In this content distribution system, points can be exchanged for content, and when the number of bid points during the bidding period is equal to or higher than the minimum bid point, if the number of copies is N, then the highest bid point from the person with the highest bid point to the Nth. The person is determined as the winning bidder, and the content is distributed to the winning bidder.

JP, 2002-117305, A

There are methods to decide the purchaser to purchase, such as the highest bid price (including amount and points), fast order, lottery, etc., but the highest bid value is higher than the original value of the purchase target However, it is difficult to convince those who have lost either method, as they have been caught, and they are lacking in fairness in the early order and depend on luck in the lottery.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bidding apparatus and a program in which a user who loses a bid is more likely to be satisfied than the existing bidding method.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a bidding device that receives a bid from a terminal device used by a user via a network,
A granting means for granting a predetermined number of points usable within a certain period to the user as possessed points,
Presentation means for presenting a bid screen including a plurality of purchase targets to the terminal device accessed through the network,
Accepting means for accepting, as a bid point, the purchase target selected from the plurality of purchase targets included in the bid screen and the number of points input to the purchase target from the terminal device within a bid period.
Determining means for determining the selected successful bidder for purchase based on the bid point at the end of the bidding period;
For the user who becomes the successful bidder due to the competition between the users, the bid point is subtracted from the possession points of the user, the user who cannot make a successful bid, and the successful bidder without the competition. Point processing means for returning all or part of the bid points to the possessed points of the user,
There is provided a bidder including a settlement means for performing a settlement process of the purchase cost of the purchase target to the successful bidder separately from the process of the points.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a computer that receives bids from a terminal device used by a user via a network,
A granting means for granting a predetermined number of points usable within a certain period to the user as possessed points,
Presentation means for presenting a bid screen including a plurality of purchase targets to the terminal device accessed through the network,
Accepting means for accepting, as a bid point, the purchase target selected from the plurality of purchase targets included in the bid screen and the number of points input to the purchase target from the terminal device within a bid period.
Determining means for determining the selected successful bidder for purchase based on the bid point at the end of the bidding period;
For the user who becomes the successful bidder due to the competition between the users, the bid point is subtracted from the possession points of the user, the user who cannot make a successful bid, and the successful bidder without the competition. Point processing means for returning all or part of the bid points to the holding points of the user,
A program is provided for causing the successful bidder to function as a settlement means that performs settlement processing of the purchase cost of the purchase target separately from the processing of the points.

According to the present invention, a user who loses a bid is more likely to be satisfied than an existing bid method.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a bidding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the member table. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bid screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the bid management table. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the bid screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a successful bidder determination table corresponding to the bid screen shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each of the drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a bidding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bidding system 100 includes a server device 1 that gives members an opportunity to bid using points, and a plurality of terminal devices 7 used by members. The server device 1 is an example of a bidding device. A member is an example of a user.

The points used in this embodiment can be used at the time of bidding, but cannot be used for settlement. That is, the number of points is used as an expected value for a successful bid.

The server device 1 and the plurality of terminal devices 7 are configured to be connectable via a network 8. The network 8 is a communication network such as the Internet for transmitting and receiving data by wire communication, wireless communication, or the like.

(Configuration of server device)
The server device 1 includes a control unit 2 that controls each unit of the device 1, a storage unit 3 that stores various kinds of information, a display unit 4 that is realized by a liquid crystal display, etc., and an input that is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The configuration is generally configured to include a unit 5 and a communication unit 6 that communicates with an external device such as a terminal device 7 and a settlement server device via a network 8.

The control unit 2 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an interface, and the like, and executes the program 30 to execute the member registration unit 20, the bid screen creation unit 21, the bid acceptance unit 22, the point processing unit 23, and the successful bidder determination. It functions as the means 24, the payment processing means 25, and the like. These means 20 to 25 will be described later. The member registration means 20 is an example of a grant means. The bid screen creating means 21 is an example of a presenting means. The bid acceptance means 22 is an example of acceptance means.

The storage unit 3 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and the like, and has a program 30, a member table 31 (see FIG. 2), a bid screen 32 (see FIG. 3), and a bid management table 33. Various information such as (see FIG. 4) is stored.

(Configuration of terminal device)
As the terminal device 7, for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a camera-equipped mobile phone, a multifunctional mobile phone (smartphone), or the like can be used. The terminal device 7 is configured to include a display unit realized by a liquid crystal display or the like, an input unit realized by a keyboard, a mouse or the like, and a communication unit that communicates with the server device 1 via the network 8. ..

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the member table 31. The member table 31 has a plurality of items such as a member ID, a name, a password, a mail address, holding points, and a validity period. A member ID for identifying a member is recorded in the member ID. The name of the member is recorded in the name. The password of the member is recorded in the password. In the mail address, the mail address of the terminal device 7, mobile phone, etc. is recorded. A predetermined number of points (for example, 1000 points) at the time of enrollment is recorded in the possessed points, and thereafter, the number of points possessed by the member is recorded. In the effective period, a period in which the possessed points can be used, for example, a fixed period (for example, one year) from the date of joining is recorded. Note that the valid period may be, for example, a fixed period (for example, 2 years) from the last used period (for example, month, date, etc.). The membership fee may be paid or free at the time of enrollment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the bid screen 32 displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 7. The bid screen 32 includes a bid number display area 320 for displaying a bid number, a bid period display area 321 for displaying a bid period, a bid content display area 322 for displaying bid details, and a holding point for displaying holding points held by members. And a point display area 323. The bid number uniquely identifies the bid event and is assigned when the bid event is created. In the bid screen 32, when the purchase target identification information includes the same N purchase targets, different points can be input for each of the N purchase targets.

The bid content display area 322 has a plurality of items such as a management number, purchase target identification information, purchase target detailed information, price, and number of bid points. In the management number, a number for managing each purchase target is recorded. The same management number is given to the purchase targets for which the purchase target identification information and the purchase target detailed information are the same (hereinafter also referred to as “same type”). It should be noted that different management numbers or the same management number+branch number (for example, _3-1 , _3-2, etc.) may be attached to the same type. In the purchase target identification information, identification information such as a name or a model for identifying the purchase target is recorded. In the purchase target detailed information, detailed information about the purchase target, for example, the manufacturer, the number of times of use in the case of a used product, an image showing the appearance of the purchase target, and the like are recorded. In the price, the price of the purchase target is recorded. The number of bid points records the number of points input by the user operating the input unit. Items to be purchased include items such as automobiles, copyrighted works, tickets for entertainment, tickets for luxury sleeper trains, reservations for accommodations, services such as hourly parking lots, rights, and the like. The purchase target may have various forms such as a packaging form and a packaging unit. In the case of a drug having various forms as described above, for example, a product name (for example, XX tablet 5 mg, XX tablet 10 mg, etc.) is recorded in the purchase target identification information, and a packaging form (for example, in the purchase target detailed information). PTP (press through pack) packaging sheets, individual packaging boxes, etc., packaging units (10 tablet sheets, 14 tablet sheets, 10 tablet sheets×10 sheets, etc.), size, etc. may be recorded.

For example, when 1000 points are displayed in the possessed point display area 323, if 50 points are input in the field of the bid point number with the management number “1”, the point processing means 23 will increase the number of the possessed points from 1000 points to 50 points. The 950 points after the subtraction is displayed in the possession point display area 323.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the bid management table 33. Similar to the bid screen 32 of FIG. 3, the bid management table 33 has a bid number display area 330 for displaying a bid number, a bid period display area 331 for displaying a bid period, and a bid content display area 332 for displaying bid contents. Including and

Similar to FIG. 3, the bid content display area 332 has items such as management number, purchase target identification information, purchase target detailed information, and price, and further has items such as bid point number, successful bid point, and number. In the bid point number column, the number of points and the member ID input by the member operating the input unit of the terminal device 7 are recorded. In the successful bid point column, the successful bid point for which the successful bidder has been determined when the bidding period has passed and the successful bidder's member ID are recorded.

Next, each means 20 to 25 of the control unit 2 will be described.

When the user information transmitted from the terminal device 7 includes information necessary for member registration (for example, name, email address, etc.), the member registration means 20 performs member registration. That is, the member registration means 20 generates a member ID, and uses a predetermined number of points (for example, 1000 points) that can be used at the time of bidding and cannot be used for settlement within a certain period (for example, one year) as the possessed points. Grant to members. Further, the member registration means 20 records the member ID, the possessed points, and the effective period in the member table 31. The member registration means 20 may give a predetermined number of points to the member each time the member accesses the site opened by the server device 1. Also, the member registration means 20 may add the number of points corresponding to the point purchase amount to the points held by the member when the member requests the increase of points. Further, a predetermined number of points (for example, the number of points according to the price of the purchase target) may be given to the member who provided the purchase target for bidding.

The bid screen creating means 21 creates a bid event by deciding a bid period and a purchase target to be bid by the sponsor. The bid screen creating means 21 assigns a bid number to the created bid event, creates a bid screen 32 and a bid management table 33, and stores the bid screen 32 and the bid management table 33 in the storage unit 3. When the bid screen creating means 21 is accessed from the terminal device 7 through the network 8, the bid screen creating means 21 acquires the holding points held by the member from the member table 31, and displays the holding points of the bid screen 32 stored in the storage unit 3. The possession points are written in the area 323, and the bid screen 32 is presented to the terminal device 7.

Note that in the present embodiment, which purchase target is included in the bid screen 32 is determined by the side (organizer) who gives a bid opportunity, but may be determined by the person who proposes the purchase target. The minimum bid point may be determined by the side (organizer) who prepares the bid screen 32 or the person who proposes the purchase target.

The bid acceptance means 22 selects a purchase target selected from a plurality of purchase targets included in the bid screen 32 and a successful bid entered for the selected purchase target within a predetermined period from the terminal device 7. The number of points indicating the expected value is received so that other members will not be notified even after the purchase target is selected and the input number of points is received. The bid acceptance unit 22 also records the number of bid points and the member ID in the bid management table 33. The number of bid points may be changed by a member's operation during the bidding period.

The point processing unit 23 subtracts the number of bid points used for bidding from the holding points held by the bidding member to calculate the holding points. The point processing means 23 updates the holding points in the member table 31 with the calculated holding points.

Further, the point processing means 23 subtracts the number of bid points from the holding points held by the member for the user who becomes the successful bidder due to the competition between the users. The point processing means 23 performs a process of returning the number of bid points to the possessed points of the user for the user who has not made a successful bid and the user who has become a successful bidder without competition. Here, “competition between users” means that when the number of purchase targets of the same type is n (n≧1) and the number of users who desire to purchase the purchase target is m (m≧1), This is the case where n<m. When n≧m, there is no conflict. For example, when only one user bids for one purchase target, the one user is a successful bidder without competition. When one, two, or three users bid for three purchase targets, the user who bids is the user who has won the bid without competition.

At the end of the bidding period, the winning bidder determination means 24 determines the winning bidder to be purchased selected based on the number of bid points. Specifically, the successful bidder determination means 24 determines the member who bids for the highest number of bid points as the successful bidder. In addition, when there are a plurality of highest bid points, a bid may be made again among them.

Further, the successful bidder determination means 24 may disclose a successful bid point to a member designated by the organizer, among the successful bidder and other members, by setting a successful bid point as a successful bid point after determining the successful bidder. The organizer may disclose to all bidders, for example, if the disclosure request is made from all bidders in advance. In addition, a member determined to be necessary by the organizer may be designated as a disclosure partner. When it is judged that it is necessary, for example, by disclosing it to all bidders, the winning bidder is fair and will not be disadvantaged, it will not affect the bids from the next time onward and the consistency of the number of points awarded will be confirmed. It is possible to confirm.

The payment processing means 25 performs payment processing of the purchase cost of the purchase target for the successful bidder separately from the points. The settlement processing means 25, for example, accesses the settlement server device and performs processing for deducting the purchase cost of the purchase target from the deposit account of the successful bidder.

(Operation of the embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the bidding system 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device 1.

(1) Member Registration The user operates the terminal device 7 to transmit the user information necessary for member registration to the server device 1 via the network 8. The user information includes a name, password, email address and the like.

When the server device 1 receives the user information transmitted from the terminal device 7 via the communication unit 6, the member registration means 20 determines whether or not the user information includes information necessary for member registration, If it is determined to be included, register as a member. That is, the member registration means 20 generates a member ID and gives a predetermined number of points (for example, 1000 points) to the member. Further, the member registration means 20 records the member ID, the number of points given, and the effective period in the member table 31.

(2) Start of bidding The bid screen creating means 21 creates a bid event by deciding a bid period and a purchase target to bid (S1). The bid screen creating means 21 assigns a bid number to the created bid event, creates a bid screen 32 and a bid management table 33, and stores the bid screen 32 and the bid management table 33 in the storage unit 3.

If there is a bid request together with the member ID and password from the terminal device 7 through the network 8 (S2), the bid acceptance means 22 determines whether the member ID and password transmitted from the terminal device 7 are registered in the member table 31. It is determined (S3).

If the member is registered in the member table 31 (S3: Yes), the bid acceptance means 22 determines whether or not the present is within the bid period (S4). If the bid is currently within the bidding period (S4: Yes), the bid acceptance means 22 acquires the holding points held by the member from the member table 31, generates the bid screen 32 including the acquired holding points, and creates the terminal. It is presented to the device 7 (S5).

The terminal device 7 displays the bid screen 32 transmitted from the server device 1 on the display unit. Since the possessed point display area 323 of the bid screen 32 displays the possessed points possessed by the self, the member considers the possessed points possessed by the self, decides the purchase target, and decides the number of points to input.

When the number of points is input to the bid screen 32 by operating the input unit of the terminal device 7, the bid acceptance unit 22 accepts a bid for the purchase target to which the number of points is input (S6). The bid acceptance means 22 stores the number of points and the member ID entered in the bid management table 33.

The point processing means 23 calculates the possessed points by subtracting the number of points used for bidding from the possessed points possessed by the bidding member. The point processing means 23 updates the holding points of the member table 31.

The bid acceptance means 22 rewrites the possessed points in the possessed point display area 323 of the bid screen 32 with the number of points calculated by the point processing means 23.

It is determined whether the bidding period has ended (S7). If the bidding period has not ended (S7: No), the process returns to step S2 and the processes of steps S2 to S6 are repeated.

When the bidding period ends (S7: Yes), the winning bidder determination means 24 determines the winning bidder (S8). The successful bidder determination means 24 notifies the successful bidder to the mail address recorded in the member table 31.

The settlement processing means 25 performs settlement processing for the successful bidder determined by the successful bidder determination means 24 (S9).

The point processing means 23 performs point return processing for returning the number of bid points to members who have not been successful in bidding (S10). That is, the point processing unit 23 adds the bid point number to the point number in the holding point column of the member table 31 to update it.

If it is determined in step S3 that the user is not a registered member (S3: No), or if it is not within the bidding period in step S4 (S4: No), the bid acceptance means 22 of the terminal device 7 operates. An error is displayed on the display unit (S11).

(Operation and effect of the present embodiment)
According to this embodiment, the following actions and effects are exhibited.
(1) Compared to the existing bidding method, the user who wins the bid will be confiscated with points, but the desired purchase target can be purchased, so satisfaction can be obtained, and the user who lost the bid can use it at the time of bidding You can get a sense of satisfaction even if you lose because the points you have made are returned and you bid at your own discretion.
(2) Since the purchase cost of the purchase target does not change due to bidding, it is possible to trade at the original value of the purchase target.
(3) When the bid screen 32 includes N purchase targets having the same purchase target identification information, bids can be made depending on whether all N purchases are desired or some purchases are desired. Further, when the bid screen 32 includes N purchase targets having the same purchase target identification information, if at least one purchase target is desired to be purchased, a large number of points are input to one purchase target and other purchase targets are input. You can make a bid with a difference in the number of points you enter, such as inputting a small number of points in. Therefore, dissatisfaction rarely remains even after a successful bid.
(4) When a bid is made without competition, points are returned to the successful bidder because the bidding system is not utilized as in the case of competition. Therefore, the winning bidder can be satisfied. It should be noted that since the bidding system is not utilized at all, a certain number of points (for example, 80%) with respect to the number of bid points, or a certain number of points (for example, purchase targets that have won a bid without competition) The number of points obtained by subtracting (the number of points according to the number) from the number of bid points may be returned.

(Modification 1)
The bid screen 32 may include minimum bid points indicating the minimum number of points that can participate in the bid, and the bid acceptance unit 22 may not accept bid points lower than the minimum bid points.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the bid screen 32. As shown in FIG. 6, the bid screen 32 may include the number of items for the same type of purchase target. In this case, if the number of purchase targets of the same type is N, the persons from the person with the highest number of bid points to the Nth person (including the same person) may be determined as the successful bidder. When inputting with a difference in the number of points, for example, the management number is “3”, the purchase target identification information is “AABB”, and the number is “3”, the “Bid point number” column is “100 per 1 You may input so that you can know the desired number of purchases and the number of points, such as "10 for each" or "100 for one, 10 for one" (the remaining one means 0 points). If there is no difference in the number of points, for example, the management number is "4", the purchase target identification information is "CCAA", and the number is "10", the "bid point number" column is "70 for each" or "each". You may input so that the number of points for one point, such as “20”, can be known.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a successful bidder determination table corresponding to the bid screen 32 shown in FIG. A case will be described where the management number shown in FIG. 6 is "3", the purchase target identification information is "AABB", and the number of bidders is three for three. The successful bidder determination means 24 may determine the successful bidder as follows, for example.

First, the successful bidder determination means 24 creates a successful bidder determination table 333 having the number of rows corresponding to the number of purchase targets. To the purchase target, the purchase target numbers are assigned as 1, 2, 3,.... When the number is 3, the purchase target numbers are 1 to 3. The points input by the member are recorded in the highest bidder determination table 333 in descending order. The member with the member ID (0001) inputs 100 points for each and the remaining 10 points, the member with the member ID (0003) inputs 80 points for each, and the member with the member ID (0010) inputs 1 point. When the number of points is 70 for each item, 60 for each item, and 50 for each item, the number of points is recorded as shown in FIG. 7, and the member who enters the highest bid point number for each purchase target number is the winning bidder. To decide. In the case shown in the figure, the winning bidders are member IDs (0001), (0003), and (0003).

The point processing means 23 subtracts 100 points from the holding points of the member ID (0001), returns 20 points, subtracts 160 points from the holding points of the member ID (0003), returns 80 points, and returns to the member I(0010). ) To 180 points. The method of determining the successful bidder and the method of returning the points are not limited to the above.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there. In the above embodiment, the users who can bid are members, but users who have registered some kind of user information may be used. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the holding points can be used for one year from the time of admission, but the holding points may be granted again if the member continues one year later. Further, regardless of when the member joins, points that can be used for a certain period from a certain period may be given to the member.

Each unit of the control unit 2 may be partially or entirely configured by a hardware circuit such as a reconfigurable circuit (FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Good.

Further, it is possible to omit or change some of the constituent elements of the above-described embodiment without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the flow of the above-described embodiment, steps can be added, deleted, changed, replaced, etc. within a range not changing the gist of the present invention. Further, the program used in the above embodiments can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and provided. Further, the program used in the above-described embodiment can be stored in an external server such as a cloud server and used via a network.

1... Server device, 2... Control part, 3... Storage part, 4... Display part, 5... Input part, 6... Communication part, 7... Terminal device, 8... Network, 20... Member registration means, 21... Bid screen creation Means, 22...Bid acceptance means, 23...Point processing means, 24...Successful bidder determination means, 25...Settlement processing means, 30...Program, 31...Member table, 32...Bid screen, 33...Bid management table, 100...Bid System, 320...Bid number display area, 321...Bid period display area, 322...Bid content display area, 323...Holding point display area, 330...Bid number display area, 331...Bid period display area, 332...Bid content display area

Claims (5)

A bid device that receives bids from a terminal device used by a user via a network,
A granting means for granting a predetermined number of points usable within a certain period to the user as possessed points,
Presentation means for presenting a bid screen including a plurality of purchase targets to the terminal device accessed through the network,
Accepting means for accepting, as a bid point, the purchase target selected from the plurality of purchase targets included in the bid screen and the number of points input to the purchase target from the terminal device within a bid period.
Determining means for determining the selected successful bidder for purchase based on the bid point at the end of the bidding period;
For the user who becomes the successful bidder due to the competition between the users, the bid point is subtracted from the possession points of the user, the user who cannot make a successful bid, and the successful bidder without the competition. Point processing means for returning all or part of the bid points to the possessed points of the user,
And a settlement means that performs settlement processing of the purchase cost of the purchase target for the successful bidder separately from the processing of the points. The reception unit keeps the input purchase target and bid points from being known to other users during the bid period.
The bidding device according to claim 1. The presenting means, when the bid screen includes N purchase targets having the same identification information, presents the bid screen in which different points can be input for each of the N purchase targets. The bid device described in 1 or 2. The determining means determines a user who has bid with the highest bid point number as the successful bidder, and when the bid screen includes N purchase targets with the same identification information, the bid point is used with a high point number. The first to Nth users as the highest bidder of the purchase target,
The bidding device according to claim 3. A computer that accepts bids from the terminal device used by the user via the network,
A granting means for granting a predetermined number of points usable within a certain period to the user as possessed points,
Presentation means for presenting a bid screen including a plurality of purchase targets to the terminal device accessed through the network,
Accepting means for accepting, as a bid point, the purchase target selected from the plurality of purchase targets included in the bid screen and the number of points input to the purchase target from the terminal device within a bid period.
Determining means for determining the selected successful bidder for purchase based on the bid point at the end of the bidding period;
For the user who becomes the successful bidder due to the competition between the users, the bid point is subtracted from the possession points of the user, the user who cannot make a successful bid, and the successful bidder without the competition. Point processing means for returning all or part of the bid points to the possessed points of the user,
Settlement means for performing the settlement processing of the purchase cost of the purchase target for the successful bidder separately from the processing of the points,
Program to function as.

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