JP2021141649A - Power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration in which power consumption amounts are taken into consideration so that automatic charging can be implemented in accordance with the current situation.SOLUTION: On the basis of an acquired first actual power consumption amount Se and information stored in a storage unit 22, an amount of power to be consumed by an information reading terminal 10 until the end of a prescribed time period is estimated as a first estimated power consumption amount Sf. Further, on the basis of an acquired second actual power consumption amount Be and information stored in a storage unit 42, an amount of power to be consumed by an information processing terminal 40 until the end of the prescribed time period is estimated as a second estimated power consumption amount Bf. Then, when a first battery remaining amount Sc is determined to be equal to or larger than the first estimated power consumption amount Sf and a second battery remaining amount Bc is determined to be smaller than the second estimated power consumption amount Bf, a power supply command to start power supply to the information processing terminal 40 is given to the information reading terminal 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a power supply system capable of supplying power from a first terminal to a second terminal.

In recent years, in order to improve work efficiency such as inventory work, work using reading results of wireless tags, information codes, etc. attached to products and the like is frequently performed. In addition to the function of reading wireless tags and information codes, the information reading terminal used for such work has a display function for displaying information related to reading results, a character input function such as a numeric keypad, a wireless communication function, and a large-capacity battery. Etc., various functions are likely to be required. However, it becomes difficult to reduce the size and weight of an information reading terminal equipped with various functions, and it may be inconvenient for a user who uses only some of the functions.

For this reason, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone that can complement the functions required by the user can be detachably assembled to the information reading terminal that has been made smaller and lighter by removing the display function and the character input function. The configuration is conceivable. As a result, for example, in the reading work in which the read data is simply transmitted to a higher-level device or the like each time, the work is performed using the information reading terminal in a state where the information processing terminal is not attached, and the reading result of the information reading terminal is used. When performing the predetermined work, the work can be performed using the information reading terminal equipped with the information processing terminal, and the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

By the way, because the battery of the information processing terminal has run out, even if the information reading terminal has a remaining battery power, the work using the reading result of the information reading terminal may be interrupted. Some information processing terminals do not allow easy battery replacement, and such models require long-term charging, which causes a problem that work is delayed during that time.

In order to solve this problem, for example, RFID reader / writers and mobile terminals disclosed in Patent Document 1 below are known. The RFID reader / writer is configured to receive power to charge the battery from the attached mobile terminal when the remaining charge (remaining battery capacity) of the battery becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Further, the mobile terminal is configured to receive electric power for charging the battery from the attached RFID reader / writer when the remaining charge of the battery becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. This eliminates the battery exhaustion of either the RFID reader / writer or the mobile terminal.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-040982

By the way, as described above, in a configuration in which two terminals can supply power to each other and power is supplied from the other terminal when the remaining battery level of one terminal falls below a predetermined value, the power consumption of each other is consumed. Because the above is not taken into consideration, the work using one of the terminals may be delayed. For example, if the power consumption of one terminal is greater than the power consumption of the other terminal in a certain task, the power is supplied from one terminal to the other terminal, so that one terminal is used and the other terminal is used. When performing work, the continuous use time may be shortened.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of performing automatic charging more in line with the current situation by considering each other's power consumption. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the claims is
A first terminal (20) that operates using the electric power supplied from the first battery (31), and
A second terminal (40) that operates using the electric power supplied from the second battery (51), and
Power supply control devices (40, 20) that control the power supply from the first terminal to the second terminal, and
A power supply system (1) equipped with
The power supply control device is
A storage unit (22, 42) that sequentially stores the electric energy consumption of the first terminal and the electric energy consumption of the second terminal actually consumed in a specified period unit, and
The actual power consumption of the first terminal from the beginning of the specified period is acquired as the first actual power consumption (Se), and the remaining battery level of the first battery is set as the first battery level (Sc). The first acquisition unit (41) to acquire and
The actual power consumption of the second terminal from the beginning of the specified period is acquired as the second actual power consumption (Be), and the remaining battery level of the second battery is set as the second battery remaining amount (Bc). The second acquisition unit (41) to acquire and
Based on the first actual power consumption acquired by the first acquisition unit and the information stored in the storage unit, the power consumption of the first terminal by the end of the specified period is first estimated. The second is estimated as the electric energy (Sf), and based on the second actual electric energy acquired by the second acquisition unit and the information stored in the storage unit, by the end of the specified period. The estimation unit (41) that estimates the amount of power consumed by the terminal as the second estimated power consumption (Bf), and
A first determination unit (41) for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the first battery acquired by the first acquisition unit is equal to or greater than the first estimated power consumption estimated by the estimation unit.
A second determination unit (41) for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the second battery acquired by the second acquisition unit is equal to or greater than the second estimated power consumption predicted by the estimation unit.
An instruction unit (41) for instructing the first terminal to supply electric power to start supplying electric power to the second terminal, and
With
In the indicator unit, the first determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the first battery is equal to or greater than the first estimated power consumption, and the second determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the second battery is the second estimated power consumption. When it is determined that the amount of consumption is less than the amount of consumption, the power supply instruction is given. The reference numerals in the parentheses indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later. ..

In the invention of claim 1, the power consumption of the first terminal and the power consumption of the second terminal actually consumed in the specified period unit are sequentially stored in the storage unit. In addition, the first acquisition unit acquires the actual power consumption of the first terminal from the beginning of the specified period as the first actual power consumption, and the remaining battery level of the first battery is used as the first remaining battery level. To be acquired. In addition, the second acquisition unit acquires the actual power consumption of the second terminal from the beginning of the specified period as the second actual power consumption, and the remaining battery level of the second battery as the second battery level. To be acquired. Then, based on the first actual power consumption acquired by the first acquisition unit and the information stored in the storage unit by the estimation unit, the power consumption of the first terminal by the end of the specified period is the first. The power consumed by the second terminal by the end of the specified period based on the second actual power consumption acquired by the second acquisition unit and the information stored in the storage unit while being estimated as the estimated power consumption. The amount is estimated as the second estimated power consumption. Then, when the first determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the first battery is equal to or greater than the first estimated power consumption, and the second determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the second battery is less than the second estimated power consumption. , The instruction unit gives a power supply instruction to the first terminal to start supplying power to the second terminal.

As a result, when the remaining amount of the second battery is equal to or greater than the second estimated power consumption, unnecessary power supply to the second terminal is stopped, and the remaining amount of the first battery is less than the first estimated power consumption. In some cases, the power required by the first terminal is not supplied to the second terminal, so that the power can be supplied from the first terminal to the second terminal as much as necessary. In particular, the first estimated power consumption and the second estimated power consumption are estimated in consideration of the power consumption of the first terminal and the power consumption of the second terminal actually consumed in the specified period unit. Therefore, as compared with the case where the past power consumption is not taken into consideration, it is possible to suppress excess and deficiency and carry out automatic charging more in line with the current situation.

In the invention of claim 2, the first terminal is an information reading terminal that reads external information, and the second terminal uses the information acquired from the first terminal to perform a predetermined process. As a result, even a second terminal that performs a predetermined process using the reading result of the first terminal can be suitably supplied with power from the first terminal.

In the invention of claim 3, either the second terminal or the first terminal is configured to function as a power supply control device as well. As a result, power from the first terminal to the second terminal can be used by using the function of the first terminal or the function of the second terminal without adopting an external device such as a server as the power supply control device. Can supply.

In the invention of claim 4, the second terminal is configured to have a part of the function of the power supply control device, and the first terminal is configured to have the function of the rest of the power supply control device. .. As a result, the power from the first terminal to the second terminal is used by utilizing the functions of the first terminal and the functions of the second terminal without adopting an external device such as a server as the power supply control device. Can supply.

In the invention of claim 5, when the information stored in the storage unit regarding the power consumption of the first terminal is insufficient, the estimation unit uses the first actual power consumption acquired by the first acquisition unit. Based on the predetermined first default value set in advance according to the specified period, the amount of power consumed by the first terminal by the end of the specified period is estimated as the first estimated power consumption, and the second terminal. If the information stored in the storage unit regarding the power consumption of is insufficient, a predetermined second default set in advance according to the second actual power consumption acquired by the second acquisition unit and the specified period. Based on the value, the amount of power consumed by the second terminal by the end of the specified period is estimated as the second estimated power consumption.

As a result, for example, even if the power consumption of the first terminal or the power consumption of the second terminal actually consumed in the specified period unit is not sufficiently stored immediately after the start of operation, the first The estimated power consumption and the second estimated power consumption can be estimated.

In the invention of claim 6, when the charging mode in which the power supply to the second terminal is prioritized is selected by the selection unit, the first battery is used regardless of the determination results by the first determination unit and the second determination unit. The power supply instruction is given by the indicator until the remaining amount becomes less than a predetermined threshold value.

As a result, for example, when the user uses the second terminal for more work, the power supply to the second terminal can be prioritized over the remaining battery level of the first terminal. Convenience can be enhanced.

In the invention of claim 7, the charging mode is selected by the selection unit to charge the remaining amount of the second battery to the second specified value specified by the user while maintaining the remaining amount of the first battery to be equal to or higher than the first specified value specified by the user. Then, regardless of the determination results by the first determination unit and the second determination unit, the case where the remaining amount of the first battery is equal to or more than the first specified value and the remaining amount of the second battery is less than the second specified value. In addition, a power supply instruction is given by the instruction unit.

As a result, for example, when the user uses the first terminal for more work, the user specifies the first designated value according to the amount of work or the like, so that the first terminal is used. It is possible to reliably secure the remaining battery level required for the work that was being done.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which the information reading terminal and the information processing terminal of the power supply system which concerns on 1st Embodiment are assembled. It is a side view of the information reading terminal and the information processing terminal of FIG. FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an information reading terminal, FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a wireless tag processing unit, and FIG. 3C is a block diagram. Is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the information code reading unit. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electrical structure of an information processing terminal. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the power consumption stored in the storage unit of the information reading terminal, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the power consumption stored in the storage unit of the information processing terminal. It is explanatory drawing to be done. This is a part of a flowchart illustrating the flow of the automatic charging process performed by the control unit of the information processing terminal in the first embodiment. This is a part of a flowchart illustrating the flow of the automatic charging process performed by the control unit of the information processing terminal in the first embodiment. It is a part of a flowchart illustrating the flow of the automatic charging process performed by the control unit of the information processing terminal in the second embodiment. It is a part of a flowchart illustrating the flow of the automatic charging process performed by the control unit of the information processing terminal in the second embodiment. It is a part of a flowchart illustrating the flow of the automatic charging process performed by the control unit of the information processing terminal in the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment embodying the power supply system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system for enabling power supply between two terminals, and is actually consumed power consumption of the first terminal and power of the second terminal. By considering the amount of consumption, it is configured as a system that supplies electric power from the first terminal to the second terminal as much as necessary.

In the power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment, the information reading terminal 10 is adopted as the first terminal on the power supply side, and the information processing terminal 40 is adopted as the second terminal on the power receiving side.

The information reading terminal 10 is configured as a portable reading device that is carried by a user and reads predetermined information at various places, and is a wireless tag T such as an RFID tag via radio waves transmitted and received via the antenna 26. In addition to the function as a wireless tag reader that reads the information stored in the device, it also has the function as an information code reader that optically reads the information code C such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, and can read in two ways. It has become. In particular, in the present embodiment, the information reading terminal 10 is configured to be compact and lightweight by removing the display function, the character input function, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, an attachment 60 for detachably assembling the information processing terminal 40 owned by the user to the information reading terminal 10 is prepared. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information processing terminal 40 is used in a state of being assembled to the information reading terminal 10 via the attachment 60, and the information reading terminal 10 alone or the information processing terminal is used. It is supposed to be used by 40 alone.

First, the detailed configuration of the information reading terminal 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer shell of the information reading terminal 10 is formed by a housing 11 made of a synthetic resin material such as ABS resin. The information reading terminal 10 is configured to include a wireless communication unit 16 for increasing the output of transmitted radio waves, in addition to the main body unit 12 and the gripping unit 14. Further, a reading port 13 for taking in the reflected light from the information code is provided at one end of the main body 12 on the one end side in the longitudinal direction.

The grip portion 14 is assembled near the center with respect to the lower surface of the main body portion 12, and the portion near the lower surface facing the wireless communication unit 16 is subjected to a reading process for the wireless tag T, the information code C, or the like. A trigger switch 23a that is operated at the time of starting is arranged. The wireless communication unit 16 is assembled on the reading side of the lower surface of the main body unit 12 so as to be located below the reading port 13.

Next, the electrical configuration of the information reading terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (C).
The main body 12 includes a control unit 21 that controls the entire information reading terminal 10, and is housed in the housing 11. The control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, has a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and constitutes an information processing device together with a storage unit 22 composed of a semiconductor memory and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the control unit 21 is connected to the operation unit 23, the LED 24a, the vibrator 24b, the buzzer 24c, the external interface 25, and the like.

The operation unit 23 is provided with a trigger switch 23a or the like and is configured to give an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 21, and the control unit 21 receives the operation signal and responds to the content of the operation signal. Perform the operation. Further, the LED 24a, the vibrator 24b and the buzzer 24c are configured to be controlled by the control unit 21, and each operates in response to a command from the control unit 21. The external interface 25 is configured as an interface for performing wireless communication or wired communication with the information reading terminal 10, an external device, or the like, and is configured to perform communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 21. There is.

Further, the information reading terminal 10 includes a wireless tag processing unit 27 and an information code reading unit 28, which are controlled by the control unit 21 and function as an information reading unit capable of reading external information.

First, the wireless tag processing unit 27 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 (B).
The wireless tag processing unit 27 cooperates with the antenna 26 and the control unit 21 to communicate with the wireless tag T by electromagnetic waves, and reads data stored in the wireless tag T or writes data to the wireless tag T. It functions to do. The wireless tag processing unit 27 is configured as a circuit that transmits by a known radio wave method, and as schematically shown in FIG. 3B, a transmission circuit 27a, a reception circuit 27b, a matching circuit 27c, and the like are included. Have.

The transmission circuit 27a is composed of a carrier oscillator, a coding unit, an amplifier, a transmission unit filter, a modulation unit, and the like, and has a configuration in which a carrier (carrier wave) having a predetermined frequency is output from the carrier oscillator. Further, the coding unit is connected to the control unit 21, and the transmission data output from the control unit 21 is encoded and output to the modulation unit. The modulation section is a section where the carrier (carrier wave) from the carrier oscillator and the transmission data from the coding section are input, and the carrier (carrier wave) output from the carrier oscillator is coded when a command is transmitted to the communication target. A modulated signal modulated by ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) is generated by a coded transmission code (modulated signal) output from the conversion unit, and is output to an amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the input signal (modulated signal modulated by the modulator) with a predetermined gain, outputs the amplified signal to the transmitter filter, and the transmitter filter filters the amplified signal from the amplifier. The transmission signal is output to the antenna 26 via the matching circuit 27c. When the transmission signal is output to the antenna 26 in this way, the transmission signal is radiated to the outside from the antenna 26 as a transmission radio wave.

On the other hand, the response signal received by the antenna 26 is input to the receiving circuit 27b via the matching circuit 27c. The receiving circuit 27b is composed of a receiving unit filter, an amplifier, a demodulation unit, a binarization processing unit, a compounding unit, and the like, and after filtering the response signal received via the antenna 26 by the receiving unit filter. , Amplifies by an amplifier, and demodulates the amplified signal by a demodulator. Then, the demodulated signal waveform is binarized by the binarization processing unit, decoded by the decoding unit, and then the decoded signal is output to the control unit 21 as received data.

Next, the information code reading unit 28 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 (C).
The information code reading unit 28 functions to optically read the information code, and as shown in FIG. 3C, an illumination unit 28a and an imaging lens 28b composed of a plurality of LEDs, lenses, and the like. , A light receiving sensor 28c composed of a CCD area sensor, etc., and functions to read the information code C (bar code or two-dimensional code) attached to the reading target R in cooperation with the control unit 21. do.

When reading by the information code reading unit 28, first, the illumination light Lf is emitted from the illumination unit 28a commanded by the control unit 21, and the illumination light Lf is irradiated to the reading target R through the reading port 13. NS. Then, the reflected light Lr reflected by the illumination light Lf by the information code C is taken into the apparatus through the reading port 13, and is received by the light receiving sensor 28c through the imaging lens 28b. The imaging lens 28b arranged between the reading port 13 and the light receiving sensor 28c is configured to form an image of the information code C on the light receiving sensor 28c, and the light receiving sensor 28c is an image of the information code C. Outputs a light-receiving signal according to. The light receiving signal output from the light receiving sensor 28c is stored in the storage unit 22 as image data, and is used in the decoding process for acquiring the information included in the information code C. The information code reading unit 28 is provided with an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signal from the light receiving sensor 28c, an AD conversion circuit that converts the amplified signal into a digital signal, and the like, but these circuits are not shown. Is omitted.

Further, a power supply unit 30 composed of a known power supply circuit or the like is provided in the housing 11. The power supply unit 30 charges the battery 31 housed in the battery housing unit by using the electric power supplied through the cradle when it is placed on the charging cradle, and uses the battery 31. It is configured to supply electric power to the control unit 21 and various electric components. Further, the power supply unit 30 can be controlled by the control unit 21 to supply or receive electric power using the battery 31 with the information processing terminal 40 electrically connected via a power cable or the like (not shown). It is configured.

Further, the power supply unit 30 is configured to output a signal corresponding to the remaining battery level of the battery 31 to the control unit 21, and the control unit 21 outputs the remaining battery level of the battery 31 to the first battery remaining from the above signal. Obtained as a quantity Sc. As a result, the control unit 21 can acquire not only the first battery remaining amount Sc but also the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 actually consumed in the specified period unit. In the present embodiment, "1 day (24 hours)" is adopted as the above-mentioned specified period, and the power consumption consumed by the information reading terminal 10 on that day is associated with the information that identifies the day, and the storage unit 22 Is remembered in. The battery 31 can correspond to an example of the "first battery".

Next, the electrical configuration of the information processing terminal 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The information processing terminal 40 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile terminal for business use owned by the user, and is a predetermined device for performing a process using the reading result of the information reading terminal 10 or an automatic charging process described later. The application program of is installed and configured.

As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing terminal 40 includes a control unit 41 including a CPU and the like, a storage unit 42 including a ROM, RAM, a non-volatile memory, and a light receiving sensor (for example, a C-MOS area sensor and a CCD area sensor). Etc.), an image pickup unit 43 configured as a camera equipped with (etc.), a touch panel type display unit 44, an operation unit 45 composed of various operation keys and a touch panel (not shown), and an external device such as an information reading terminal 10. It is provided with a communication unit 46 and the like configured as a communication interface for performing wireless communication or wired communication in the above.

Further, the information processing terminal 40 includes a power supply unit 50 composed of a known power supply circuit or the like. The power supply unit 50 charges the battery 51 housed in the battery housing unit by using the electric power supplied through the cradle when it is placed on the charging cradle, and uses the battery 51. It is configured to supply electric power to the control unit 41 and various electric components. Further, the power supply unit 50 can receive or supply electric power using the battery 51 and the information reading terminal 10 electrically connected via a power cable or the like (not shown), which is controlled by the control unit 41. It is configured.

Further, the power supply unit 50 is configured to output a signal corresponding to the remaining battery level of the battery 51 to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 calculates the remaining battery level of the battery 51 from the above signal to the second battery remaining. Obtained as quantity Bc. As a result, the control unit 41 can acquire not only the second battery remaining amount Bc but also the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 actually consumed in the specified period unit, and the information processing terminal 40 can acquire the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 on that day. The power consumption consumed is associated with the information that identifies the day and is stored in the storage unit 42. The battery 51 can correspond to an example of the "second battery".

Next, the automatic charging process using the information reading terminal 10 performed by the control unit 41 of the information processing terminal 40 will be described below.
In the present embodiment, when the information processing terminal 40 is activated, if there is an information reading terminal 10 that is connected to be capable of wireless communication and can supply power, the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 actually consumed in the past. In consideration of the information processing terminal 40 and the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40, the information processing terminal 40 performs an automatic charging process using the information reading terminal 10. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the information processing terminal 40 functions as a power supply control device that controls the power supply from the information reading terminal 10 to the information processing terminal 40.

More specifically, the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 actually consumed in the past is estimated from the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 to be used today, and the information processing terminal 40 actually consumed in the past. The power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 to be used today is estimated from the power consumption of the above, and the automatic charging process using the information reading terminal 10 is performed using these estimation results.

In the present embodiment, the information reading terminal 10 uses the maximum power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 stored in the storage unit 22 for 7 days before yesterday actually consumed in the past today. Acquired as the planned first planned power consumption S. For example, on January 8, when the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 is acquired for 7 days as shown in FIG. 5 (A), "80%" is acquired as the first planned power consumption S. Will be done. Similarly, the information processing terminal 40 plans to use the largest power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 stored in the storage unit 42 for the seven days before yesterday actually consumed in the past today. Acquired as the second planned power consumption B. For example, on January 8, when the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 is acquired for 7 days as shown in FIG. 5 (B), "80%" is acquired as the second planned power consumption B. Will be done.

Hereinafter, the automatic charging process performed by the control unit 41 of the information processing terminal 40 will be specifically described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
When the automatic charging process is started in the control unit 41 in response to the activation of the information processing terminal 40, the transmission request process such as the power consumption shown in step S101 of FIG. 6 is performed, and the first schedule for the information reading terminal 10 is performed. Transmission of power consumption S and first battery remaining amount Sc is required. Next, in the determination process of step S103, it is determined whether or not the power can be supplied. Here, for example, because the information reading terminal 10 is not within the wireless communication range of the information processing terminal 40, the first planned power consumption S or the like corresponding to the above request is not received, or power can be supplied to the information reading terminal 10. If it is not connected via a power cable or the like, it is considered that power cannot be supplied, and it is determined as No in step S103, the automatic charging process ends, and the mode is set in which automatic charging is prohibited.

On the other hand, in response to the above request, the first planned power consumption S and the first remaining battery level Sc are received, and the power cable is capable of supplying power to the information reading terminal 10 that has transmitted the first planned power consumption S and the like. If the connection is made via the above, it is determined that the power can be supplied, and the result is Yes in step S103. In this case, in the determination process of step S105, it is determined whether or not it is the first activation within the specified period. Here, if it is the first activation on that day, it is determined as Yes in step S105, and if it is the second or subsequent activation on that day, it is determined as No in step S105.

If Yes is determined in step S105, in order to confirm whether the preparation of a spare battery is recommended, in the determination process of step S107, the remaining battery Sc and the second battery Bc It is determined whether or not the sum of the capacities is larger than the sum of the capacities of the first planned power consumption S and the second planned power consumption B.

Here, when the sum of the capacities of the first battery remaining amount Sc and the second battery remaining amount Bc is equal to or less than the sum of the capacities of the first planned power consumption S and the second planned power consumption B (No in S107). ), Assuming that the preparation of the spare battery is recommended, the spare battery recommendation display process shown in step S109 is performed. In this process, information recommending the preparation of a spare battery is displayed on the display unit 44.

In this way, the spare battery recommended display process is performed, or the sum of the capacities of the first battery remaining Sc and the second battery remaining Bc is the sum of the capacities of the first planned power consumption S and the second planned power consumption B. If it exceeds (Yes in S107), the mode selection display process shown in step S111 is performed. In this process, the display unit 44 displays that the automatic charging mode can be selected and operated. When the operation unit 45 is operated without selecting the automatic charging mode (No in S113), the automatic charging process ends and the automatic charging is prohibited.

On the other hand, when the automatic charging mode is selected (Yes in S113) due to the operation of selecting the automatic charging mode for the operation unit 45, the second actual power consumption and the like shown in step S115 of FIG. 7 are acquired. Processing is done. In this process, the actual power consumption from the beginning of the specified period of the information processing terminal 40 (the power consumption consumed so far today) is acquired as the second actual power consumption Be, and the second at the present time. The remaining battery level Bc is acquired. The control unit 41 that executes the step S115 may correspond to an example of the “second acquisition unit”.

Subsequently, in the determination process of step S117, it is determined whether or not the information processing terminal 40 is in a state requiring charging. Here, the remaining amount Bc of the second battery is equal to or greater than the power consumption (second estimated power consumption Bf described later) obtained by subtracting the second actual power consumption Be from the second planned power consumption B, or the remaining amount of the second battery. If the amount Bc is equal to or higher than the specified value (for example, 20%), it is determined that the information processing terminal 40 is not in a state requiring charging, and it is determined as No in step S117, and the second actual state is determined in step S115. The process of acquiring the power consumption Be and the second battery remaining amount Bc is repeated.

Then, by continuously using the information processing terminal 40, the remaining amount Bc of the second battery is less than the power consumption obtained by subtracting the second actual power consumption Be from the second planned power consumption B, and the second battery When the remaining amount Bc becomes less than the above-mentioned specified value, it is determined that the information processing terminal 40 is in a state requiring charging, and Yes is determined in step S117.

In this case, the first actual power consumption acquisition process shown in step S119 is performed. In this process, the actual power consumption from the beginning of the specified period of the information reading terminal 10 (the power consumption consumed so far today) is acquired from the information reading terminal 10 as the first actual power consumption Se. At the same time, the current remaining amount Sc of the first battery is acquired. The control unit 41 that executes the step S119 may correspond to an example of the “first acquisition unit”.

Subsequently, in the determination process of step S121, it is determined whether or not the information reading terminal 10 is in a state where power can be supplied. Here, if the first battery remaining amount Sc is less than the power consumption (first estimated power consumption Sf described later) obtained by subtracting the first actual power consumption Se from the first planned power consumption S, the information reading terminal Assuming that 10 is not in a state where power can be supplied, No is determined in step S121, and the process of step S115 is performed.

On the other hand, if the first battery remaining amount Sc is equal to or greater than the power consumption obtained by subtracting the first actual power consumption Se from the first planned power consumption S, it is assumed that the information reading terminal 10 is in a state where power can be supplied. In step S121, it is determined to be Yes. In this case, the power supply instruction process shown in step S123 is performed, and an instruction to start power supply is given to the information reading terminal 10. When the information reading terminal 10 that receives this instruction starts power supply via the power cable, charging of the battery 51 of the information processing terminal 40 is started. The control unit 41 that executes the step S123 may correspond to an example of the “instruction unit”.

When the charging of the battery 51 is started in this way, after the first actual power consumption Se and the first battery remaining amount Sc are acquired from the information reading terminal 10 (S125), they are acquired in the determination process of step S127. It is determined whether or not the first actual power consumption Se is less than the first planned power consumption S. Here, when the first actual power consumption Se is equal to or more than the first planned power consumption S (No in S127), the first battery remaining amount Sc is not more than a predetermined threshold value St (for example, 20%). If (No in S129), the process from step S123 is performed, and the charging process is continued.

On the other hand, when the first actual power consumption Se is less than the first planned power consumption S (Yes in S127), the first estimated power consumption estimation process shown in step S131 is performed. In this process, the amount of power consumed by the information reading terminal 10 from the present time to the end of the specified period is the first based on the power consumption obtained by subtracting the first actual power consumption Se from the first planned power consumption S. It is estimated as the estimated power consumption Sf. The control unit 41 that executes the process of step S131 may correspond to an example of the “estimation unit”.

Subsequently, in the determination process shown in step S133, it is determined whether or not the first battery remaining amount Sc is equal to or greater than the first estimated power consumption Sf estimated as described above. Here, if the first battery remaining amount Sc is less than the first estimated power consumption Sf, it is determined as No in step S133, and it is assumed that the information reading terminal 10 is in a state where power cannot be supplied. The automatic charging process ends. Further, even if the first actual power consumption Se is equal to or more than the first planned power consumption S (No in S127), the information is read when the remaining battery level Sc of the first battery becomes less than the predetermined threshold St (Yes in S129). Assuming that the terminal 10 cannot supply power, the automatic charging process ends. The control unit 41 that executes the determination process in step S133 may correspond to an example of the “first determination unit”.

On the other hand, when the first battery remaining amount Sc becomes equal to or more than the first estimated power consumption Sf (Yes in S133), after the second actual power consumption Be and the second battery remaining amount Bc are acquired (S135). In the determination process of step S137, it is determined whether or not the acquired second actual power consumption Be is less than the second planned power consumption B.

Here, when the second actual power consumption Be is equal to or greater than the second planned power consumption B (No in S137), the second battery remaining amount Bc is less than a predetermined threshold value Bt (for example, 30%). If (Yes in S139), the process from step S123 is performed, and the charging process is continued.

On the other hand, when the second actual power consumption Be is less than the second planned power consumption B (Yes in S137), the second estimated power consumption estimation process shown in step S141 is performed. In this process, the amount of power consumed by the information processing terminal 40 from the present time to the end of the specified period is the second based on the power consumption obtained by subtracting the second actual power consumption Be from the second planned power consumption B. It is estimated as the estimated power consumption Bf. The control unit 41 that executes the process of step S141 may correspond to an example of the "estimation unit".

Subsequently, in the determination process shown in step S143, it is determined whether or not the second battery remaining amount Bc is equal to or greater than the second estimated power consumption Bf estimated as described above. Here, when the second battery remaining amount Bc is less than the second estimated power consumption Bf, it is determined as No in step S143, the process from step S123 is performed, and the charging process is continued. .. The control unit 41 that executes the determination process in step S143 may correspond to an example of the “second determination unit”.

On the other hand, when the second battery remaining amount Bc becomes equal to or more than the second estimated power consumption Bf (Yes in S143), it is assumed that the information processing terminal 40 is in a sufficiently charged state, and the automatic charging process ends. do. Further, even if the second actual power consumption Be is equal to or higher than the second planned power consumption B (No in S137), information processing is performed when the remaining battery level Bc of the second battery becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold Bt (No in S139). Assuming that the terminal 40 is fully charged, the automatic charging process ends.

Here, in the case of FIG. 5 in which "80%" is acquired as the first planned power consumption S and "80%" is acquired as the second planned power consumption B, the automatic charging mode is selected. The automatic charging process after the operation will be described in detail using specific numerical values.

In step S115, when "50%" is acquired as the second actual power consumption Be and "20%" is acquired as the second battery remaining amount Bc, it is determined that charging is necessary (Yes in S117). ), When "60%" is acquired as the first actual power consumption Se and "40%" is acquired as the first battery remaining Sc in step S119, it is determined that power can be supplied (). Yes) in S121), charging of the battery 51 of the information processing terminal 40 is started (S123).

After that, during charging, the second battery remaining amount Bc rises to "25%" and the second actual power consumption Be rises to "60%", so that the second battery remaining amount Bc (25%) increases. When the second estimated power consumption Bf (20%) or more obtained by subtracting the second actual power consumption Be (60%) from the second planned power consumption B (80%) (Yes in S143), the information processing terminal Assuming that the 40 is fully charged, the automatic charging process ends.

Further, during charging, the first battery remaining amount Sc (20%) decreases to "20%" and the first actual power consumption Se increases to "59%", so that the first battery remaining amount Sc (20%) increases. When it becomes less than the first estimated power consumption Sf (21%) obtained by subtracting the first actual power consumption Se (59%) from the first planned power consumption S (80%) (No in S133), the information reading terminal Assuming that power cannot be supplied to 10, the automatic charging process ends.

As described above, in the power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment, the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 and the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 actually consumed in the specified period unit are stored in the storage unit 22 and the storage. It is sequentially stored in the unit 42. Further, the actual power consumption from the beginning of the specified period of the information reading terminal 10 is acquired as the first actual power consumption Se, and the remaining battery level of the battery 31 is acquired as the first remaining battery level Sc, so that the information processing terminal The actual power consumption from the beginning of the specified period of 40 is acquired as the second actual power consumption Be, and the remaining battery level of the battery 51 is acquired as the second battery remaining amount Bc. Then, based on the acquired first actual power consumption Se and the information stored in the storage unit 22, the amount of power consumed by the information reading terminal 10 by the end of the specified period is estimated as the first estimated power consumption Sf. (S131), the amount of power consumed by the information processing terminal 40 by the end of the specified period is the second estimated power based on the acquired second actual power consumption Be and the information stored in the storage unit 42. Estimated as consumption Bf (S141). Then, when the first battery remaining amount Sc is determined to be equal to or higher than the first estimated power consumption Sf (Yes in S133), and the second battery remaining amount Bc is determined to be less than the second estimated power consumption Bf (Yes). No) in S143, a power supply instruction for starting power supply to the information processing terminal 40 is given to the information reading terminal 10 (S123).

As a result, when the second battery remaining amount Bc is equal to or greater than the second estimated power consumption Bf, unnecessary power supply to the information processing terminal 40 is stopped, and the first battery remaining amount Sc is the first estimated power consumption. If the amount is less than Sf, the information reading terminal 10 does not supply power to the information processing terminal 40 up to the power required by the information reading terminal 10, so that the information reading terminal 10 supplies power to the information processing terminal 40 as much as necessary. be able to. In particular, the first estimated power consumption Sf and the second estimated power consumption Bf take into consideration the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 and the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 actually consumed in the specified period unit. Since it is estimated, it is possible to suppress excess and deficiency and carry out automatic charging more in line with the current situation, as compared with the case where the past power consumption is not taken into consideration.

The first planned power consumption S and the second planned power consumption B are the power consumptions stored in the storage unit 22 and the storage unit 42 for 7 days (specified period) before yesterday actually consumed in the past. It is not limited to being set to be equal to the maximum value of the amount, and may be set to be equal to the maximum value for, for example, 5 days or 10 days. Further, the above-mentioned specified period is not limited to being set in units of one day (24 hours), and may be set in units of several hours, for example. Further, the power consumption that is not used for calculating the first planned power consumption S and the second planned power consumption B may be sequentially erased from the storage unit 22 and the storage unit 42.

Further, when the information stored in the storage unit 22 regarding the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 is insufficient (for example, when only 2 days'worth is stored in the storage unit 22 on the premise of 7 days' worth), Based on the acquired first actual power consumption Se and a predetermined first default value set in advance according to the specified period, the amount of power consumed by the information reading terminal 10 by the end of the specified period is the first estimated power. It may be estimated as the consumption amount Sf. Similarly, when the information stored in the storage unit 42 regarding the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 is insufficient, a predetermined value set in advance according to the acquired second actual power consumption Be and the specified period. The amount of power consumed by the information processing terminal 40 by the end of the specified period may be estimated as the second estimated power consumption Bf based on the second default value of.

As a result, for example, even if the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 and the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 actually consumed in the specified period unit are not sufficiently stored immediately after the start of operation, the first The estimated power consumption Sf and the second estimated power consumption Bf can be estimated.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the power supply system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the user can select one from a plurality of types of charging modes prepared in advance. Therefore, substantially the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of types of charging modes that can be selected by the user are prepared, and in the automatic charging process performed by the control unit 41, the charging mode is selected according to the selection operation by the user. In this embodiment, in addition to the automatic charging mode described in the first embodiment, an information processing terminal priority mode and a user-set charging mode are prepared. The information processing terminal priority mode is a charging mode in which power supply to the information processing terminal 40 is prioritized over the remaining battery level of the information reading terminal 10. Further, in the user-set charging mode, the user specifies the second battery remaining amount Bc of the information processing terminal 40 while maintaining the first battery remaining amount Sc of the information reading terminal 10 at or more than the first specified value Sy specified by the user. This is a charging mode for charging up to the second specified value By.

Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the automatic charging process performed by the control unit 41 of the information processing terminal 40 will be specifically described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 10.
Similar to the first embodiment, in the mode selection display process of step S111a after the processes of step S101 and subsequent steps of FIG. 8 are performed, the display unit 44 displays the automatic charging mode, the information processing terminal priority mode, and the user-set charging. A display is displayed in which the mode can be selected and operated. Then, when an operation for selecting the automatic charging mode is performed on the operation unit 45 (Yes in S113), the processes after step S115 shown in FIG. 7 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. The operation unit 45 and the control unit 41 can correspond to an example of a "selection unit" in which the user can select one from a plurality of types of charging modes prepared in advance.

On the other hand, when the operation of selecting the information processing terminal priority mode is performed (No in S113, Yes in S113a), the processes after step S115 shown in FIG. 9 are performed. Then, when the power supply instruction process shown in step S123 is performed by determining Yes in step S121, the first battery remaining amount acquisition process shown in step S151 is performed, and the information reading terminal 10 to the first battery The remaining amount Sc is acquired. When the first battery remaining amount Sc is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value St (No in S153), the second battery remaining amount Bc is acquired (S155), and the acquired second battery remaining amount Bc is 100%. If not, it is assumed that the battery is not fully charged (No in S157), the process from step S123 is performed, and the charge process is continued.

On the other hand, when the first battery remaining amount Sc acquired from the information reading terminal 10 becomes less than the predetermined threshold value St (Yes in S153), it is assumed that the information reading terminal 10 is in a state where power cannot be supplied, and this automatic charging process is performed. Is finished. Further, when the acquired second battery remaining amount Bc reaches 100%, the automatic charging process ends, assuming that the battery is fully charged (Yes in S157).

Further, when the operation of selecting the user-set charging mode is performed (No in S113 and S113a, Yes in S113b), the designated value selection process in step S161 shown in FIG. 10 is performed. In this process, the first designated value Sy and the second designated value By described above are selected according to the selection operation by the user. Subsequently, the processes after step S115 are performed, and if Yes is determined in step S121, the power supply instruction process shown in step S123 is performed, and the first battery remaining amount acquisition process shown in step S163 is performed. Then, the first battery remaining amount Sc is acquired from the information reading terminal 10. When the first battery remaining amount Sc is equal to or more than the first specified value Sy (No in S165), the second battery remaining amount Bc is acquired (S167), and the acquired second battery remaining amount Bc is the second. If it is not equal to or greater than the specified value By (No in S169), the process from step S123 is performed and the charging process is continued.

On the other hand, when the first battery remaining amount Sc acquired from the information reading terminal 10 becomes less than the first specified value Sy (Yes in S165), it is assumed that the information reading terminal 10 is in a state where power cannot be supplied, and this automatic charging is performed. The process ends. Further, when the acquired second battery remaining amount Bc becomes equal to or higher than the second designated value By, it is assumed that the information processing terminal 40 is in a sufficiently charged state, and the automatic charging process ends.

As described above, in the power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the charging mode that prioritizes the power supply to the information processing terminal 40 is selected and operated by the user (Yes in S113a), the first battery remaining amount Sc. And the difference between the first estimated power consumption Sf (judgment result by the first judgment unit) and the difference between the second battery remaining amount Bc and the second estimated power consumption Bf (judgment result by the second judgment unit). Regardless, if the second battery remaining amount Bc is not equal to or more than the second designated value By, the power supply instruction is given until the first battery remaining amount Sc becomes less than a predetermined threshold value St (S123).

As a result, for example, when the user uses the information processing terminal 40 for more work, the power supply to the information processing terminal 40 can be prioritized over the remaining battery level of the information reading terminal 10. Convenience can be enhanced.

In addition, a user-set charging mode for charging the second battery remaining amount Bc to the second specified value By specified by the user while maintaining the first battery remaining amount Sc above the first specified value Sy specified by the user is selected and operated. Then (Yes in S113b), the difference between the first battery remaining amount Sc and the first estimated power consumption Sf (determination result by the first determination unit) and the second battery remaining amount Bc and the second estimated power consumption Bf. When the first battery remaining amount Sc is equal to or more than the first specified value Sy and the second battery remaining amount Bc is less than the second specified value By, regardless of the difference from the above (determination result by the second determination unit). , A power supply instruction is given (S123).

As a result, for example, when the user uses the information reading terminal 10 for more work, the information reading terminal 10 is used by the user specifying the first designated value Sy according to the amount of work or the like. It is possible to reliably secure the remaining battery level required for the work that was being done.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and may be embodied as follows, for example.
(1) In the power supply system according to the present invention, the information reading terminal 10 is not always adopted as the first terminal on the power supply side, and the information processing terminal 40 is adopted as the second terminal on the power receiving side. For example, the information processing terminal 40 may be adopted as the first terminal on the power supply side, and the information reading terminal 10 may be adopted as the second terminal on the power receiving side. Further, for example, the information reading terminal 10 may be configured to have other functions in addition to the reading function for reading external information, and the information processing terminal 40 uses the reading result of the information processing terminal 40. It may be configured to have other functions in addition to the functions.

(2) In the power supply system according to the present invention, the information processing terminal 40 that executes the automatic charging process supplies power from the information reading terminal 10 to the information processing terminal 40 without adopting an external device such as a server. The information reading terminal 10 may function as the power supply control device, for example, when the information reading terminal 10 executes the automatic charging process. Further, the information processing terminal 40 and the information reading terminal 10 may be configured to have a part of the function of the power supply control device and the function of the rest. Further, by executing the automatic charging process on an external device such as a server, the external device may function as the power supply control device. In this case, the power consumption consumed by the information reading terminal 10 and the power consumption consumed by the information processing terminal 40 can be stored at a predetermined timing in a storage unit or the like of an external device that executes the automatic charging process. ..

(3) When the battery 31 is replaced, the sum of the power consumption before the battery replacement and the power consumption after the battery replacement within the specified period is stored as the power consumption of the information reading terminal 10 as the power consumption of the storage unit 22. Can be memorized in. Similarly, when the battery 51 is replaced, the sum of the power consumption before the battery replacement and the power consumption after the battery replacement within the specified period is used as the power consumption of the information processing terminal 40 as the power consumption of the storage unit 42. Can be memorized in.

(4) In the above automatic charging process, if communication between the information processing terminal 40 and the information reading terminal 10 becomes impossible while the information processing terminal 40 gives the information reading terminal 10 a power supply instruction, the power supply instruction is given. At the same time as stopping, the communication disabled state can be displayed on the display unit 44 to give a warning. Further, in the automatic charging process, when the information processing terminal 40 and the information reading terminal 10 are instructed to supply power to the information reading terminal 10, the information processing terminal 40 and the information reading terminal 10 cannot supply power via the power cable. , The power supply instruction can be stopped, and the power supply disabled state can be displayed on the display unit 44 to give a warning.

1 ... Power supply system 10 ... Information reading terminal (first terminal)
21 ... Control unit 22 ... Storage unit 30 ... Power supply unit 31 ... Battery (first battery)
40 ... Information processing terminal (second terminal)
41 ... Control unit (first acquisition unit, second acquisition unit, estimation unit, first determination unit, second determination unit, instruction unit)
42 ... Storage unit 50 ... Power supply unit 51 ... Battery (second battery)
B ... 2nd planned power consumption Bc ... 2nd battery remaining amount Be ... 2nd actual power consumption Bf ... 2nd estimated power consumption By ... 2nd specified value S ... 1st planned power consumption Sc ... 1st battery Remaining amount Se ... 1st actual power consumption Sf ... 1st estimated power consumption Sy ... 1st specified value

Claims (7)

A first terminal that operates using the power supplied by the first battery,
A second terminal that operates using the power supplied by the second battery,
A power supply control device that controls the power supply from the first terminal to the second terminal, and
It is a power supply system equipped with
The power supply control device is
A storage unit that sequentially stores the electric energy consumption of the first terminal and the electric energy consumption of the second terminal actually consumed in a specified period unit.
A first acquisition unit that acquires the actual power consumption of the first terminal from the beginning of the specified period as the first actual power consumption and the remaining battery level of the first battery as the first battery level. When,
A second acquisition unit that acquires the actual power consumption of the second terminal from the beginning of the specified period as the second actual power consumption and the remaining battery level of the second battery as the second battery level. When,
Based on the first actual power consumption acquired by the first acquisition unit and the information stored in the storage unit, the power consumption of the first terminal by the end of the specified period is first estimated. The second terminal is estimated as the power consumption, and based on the second actual power consumption acquired by the second acquisition unit and the information stored in the storage unit, the second terminal is set by the end of the specified period. An estimation unit that estimates the amount of power consumed as the second estimated power consumption,
A first determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining amount of the first battery acquired by the first acquisition unit is equal to or greater than the first estimated power consumption estimated by the estimation unit.
A second determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining amount of the second battery acquired by the second acquisition unit is equal to or greater than the second estimated power consumption predicted by the estimation unit.
An instruction unit for instructing the first terminal to supply electric power to start supplying electric power to the second terminal, and an instruction unit.
With
In the indicator unit, the first determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the first battery is equal to or greater than the first estimated power consumption, and the second determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the second battery is the second estimated power consumption. A power supply system characterized in that the power supply instruction is given when it is determined that the amount of power consumption is less than the consumption amount. The first terminal is an information reading terminal that reads external information.
The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal performs a predetermined process by using the information acquired from the first terminal. The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein either the second terminal or the first terminal is configured to function as the power supply control device. The second terminal is configured to have a part of the function of the power supply control device, and the first terminal is configured to have the function of the rest of the power supply control device. The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2. The estimation unit
When the information stored in the storage unit is insufficient with respect to the power consumption of the first terminal, the first actual power consumption acquired by the first acquisition unit and the specified period are met. Based on a predetermined first default value set in advance, the amount of power consumed by the first terminal by the end of the specified period is estimated as the first estimated power consumption.
When the information stored in the storage unit is insufficient with respect to the power consumption of the second terminal, the second actual power consumption acquired by the second acquisition unit and the specified period are met. Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the amount of power consumed by the second terminal by the end of the specified period is estimated as the second estimated power consumption based on a predetermined second default value set in advance. The power supply system according to any one of 4. The power supply control device includes a selection unit that allows the user to select one from a plurality of types of charging modes prepared in advance.
When the charging mode in which the power supply to the second terminal is prioritized is selected by the selection unit, the instruction unit receives the first determination unit and the second determination unit regardless of the determination results. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the power supply instruction is given until the remaining battery level becomes less than a predetermined threshold value. The power supply control device includes a selection unit that allows the user to select one from a plurality of types of charging modes prepared in advance.
The indicator has a charging mode in which the second battery remaining amount is charged to the second specified value specified by the user while the first battery remaining amount is maintained at the first specified value or more specified by the user by the selection unit. When selected, the remaining amount of the first battery is equal to or higher than the first designated value and the remaining amount of the second battery is the second designation, regardless of the determination results by the first determination unit and the second determination unit. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the value is less than the value, the power supply instruction is given.

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