JP2022071299A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electronic device which can be used at an early stage after a flood occurs.SOLUTION: An electronic device 10 includes: an input/output unit (communication unit 16) that inputs/outputs information; a detection unit 36 that detects submergence or a sign of submergence of the electronic device 10 based on the information input by the input/output unit; a switching unit 20 that switches between supplying and shutting off backup voltage from a battery 18 to a memory 14; and an emergency control unit 40 that outputs a shutoff control signal to the switching unit 20 to shut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory 14 when the detecting unit 36 detects the submergence or the sign of submergence. After the shutoff control signal is supplied, the switching unit 20 maintains the shutoff of the supply of the backup voltage to the memory 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device including a battery that supplies a backup voltage to a memory.

When a flood occurs, the entire electronic device may be submerged. When an electronic device is submerged in water, there is a risk of electrolytic corrosion occurring in the energized portion. When electrolytic corrosion occurs, the electronic device needs to be repaired. As a result, it takes time to restore the electronic device. In order to avoid such a situation, electronic devices are required to be provided with a mechanism for suppressing the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for discharging an electric load from a battery when submerged in water to prevent electrolytic corrosion.

Japanese Patent No. 6720891

However, even if the electric charge accumulated in the battery is discharged to the electric load after the submersion is detected, the discharge of the battery is not always completed, and the electronic device may be submerged with the electric charge remaining in the battery. There is. Illuminations on electronic devices make repairs difficult, take time to restore the electronic devices, and make the electronic devices unusable.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can be used at an early stage after a flood occurs.

An aspect of the present invention is an electronic device including a battery that supplies a backup voltage to a memory, and the input / output unit for inputting / outputting information and the electronic device are submerged or submerged based on the information input by the input / output unit. A detection unit that detects a sign of submersion, a switching unit that switches between supplying and shutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory, and a switching unit that shuts off when the detection unit detects a sign of submersion or submersion. The switching unit includes an emergency control unit that outputs a control signal to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory, and the switching unit receives the cutoff control signal after the cutoff control signal is supplied. Even if it is not present, the supply of the backup voltage to the memory is maintained to be cut off until the connection control signal is sent from the emergency control unit.

According to the present invention, the electronic device can be used early after the flood occurs.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device and peripheral device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the processor of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device and peripheral device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device and peripheral device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device and peripheral device which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

A suitable embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[1 First Embodiment]
[1.1 Configuration of electronic device 10 and peripheral devices]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device 10 and a peripheral device according to the first embodiment. The electronic device 10 is a device including a microcomputer using a volatile memory, for example, a machine tool, a pulse coder (encoder), a vehicle, or the like. In each embodiment described below, a machine tool is assumed as the electronic device 10.

The electronic device 10 includes a processor 12, a memory 14, a communication unit 16, a battery 18, and a switching unit 20. The electronic device 10 also includes a drive circuit (not shown) for an actuator such as a motor. The electronic device 10 is operated by electric power supplied from the external power source 22.

A submersion sensor 26, an operation button 28, and a server 32 are provided outside the electronic device 10. The electronic device 10 and the submersion sensor 26, and the electronic device 10 and the operation button 28 are connected so as to be communicable by wire, wireless communication (for example, short-range wireless communication or long-range wireless communication), or the Internet. The electronic device 10 and the server 32 are communicably connected via the Internet or a dedicated line.

The submersion sensor 26 is provided at a predetermined position, and when it detects inundation, it outputs a detection signal indicating that it has been submerged. Therefore, by installing the submersion sensor 26 in a place where it is more easily submerged than the electronic device 10, the electronic device 10 can detect the submersion in advance. The operation button 28 is a button operated by the operator when a flood occurs. The operation button 28 outputs an operation signal when the operator operates the button. The server 32 acquires backup data from the electronic device 10 and stores it.

The processor 12 is provided on the substrate 34. The processor 12 realizes various functions by executing a program stored in the memory 14 or another memory. In the first embodiment, the processor 12 functions as a detection unit 36, a main control unit 38, and an emergency control unit 40.

By acquiring at least one of the detection signal output by the submersion sensor 26 and the operation signal output by the operation button 28 via the communication unit 16, the detection unit 36 is a sign of submersion or submersion of the electronic device 10. Is detected. The communication unit 16 can acquire weather information via the Internet. In this case, when the weather information includes flood information, the detection unit 36 can detect the submersion of the electronic device 10 or the sign of submersion by acquiring the weather information via the communication unit 16.

The main control unit 38 performs main control of the electronic device 10, for example, actuator control and the like. That is, the main control unit 38 performs control other than the control performed by the emergency control unit 40.

The emergency control unit 40 performs a series of controls regarding the backup of the data stored in the memory 14. The emergency control unit 40 supplies a control signal (for example, a pulse signal) to the switching unit 20 to switch between supplying and shutting off the voltage (backup voltage) from the battery 18 to the memory 14. The emergency control unit 40 maintains a state in which a backup voltage is supplied to the memory 14 until the detection unit 36 detects submersion or a sign of submersion. Further, the emergency control unit 40 outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit 20 after backing up the data stored in the memory 14 when the detection unit 36 detects submersion or a sign of submersion in the memory. The supply of the backup voltage to 14 is cut off.

The memory 14 is provided on the substrate 34. The memory 14 has a volatile memory. The memory 14 is electrically connected to the battery 18 via the lead wire 44 and the switching unit 20. The memory 14 stores data related to the main control of the electronic device 10.

The communication unit 16 is provided on the substrate 34. The communication unit 16 functions as an input / output unit for inputting / outputting information. The communication unit 16 has various communication devices that are communicably connected to the submersion sensor 26, the operation button 28, and the server 32. The communication unit 16 inputs the detection signal output by the submersion sensor 26 and the operation signal output by the operation button 28 and sends them to the processor 12. Further, the communication unit 16 outputs the backup data of the data stored in the memory 14 to the server 32. The communication unit 16 can also acquire weather information via the Internet and send it to the processor 12.

The battery 18 is a primary battery or a secondary battery. The battery 18 supplies a voltage (backup voltage) to the memory 14 via the lead wire 44 and the switching unit 20. The battery 18 is held by the battery cage 42. The battery cage 42 is provided on the substrate 34.

The switching unit 20 is a device that switches between supplying and shutting off the voltage from the battery 18 to the memory 14 according to the control signal supplied by the emergency control unit 40. The switching unit 20 switches between electrical connection and disconnection between the lead wire 44a on the battery 18 side and the lead wire 44b on the memory 14 side. For example, the switching unit 20 switches from the open state to the closed state when a connection control signal (for example, a pulse signal) is supplied, and changes from the closed state to the open state when a cutoff control signal (for example, a pulse signal) is supplied. It is a latching relay that switches. After the cutoff control signal is supplied from the emergency control unit 40, the switching unit 20 cuts off the voltage supply to the memory 14 until the connection control signal is supplied, even if the cutoff control signal is not supplied. maintain. Since the switching unit 20 disconnects the battery 18 and the memory 14 when submerged in water, electrolytic corrosion does not occur in the memory 14.

The external power source 22 does not supply power to the electronic device 10 when no flood has occurred and the main power source is off. At this time, since the switching unit 20 is in the closed state, the data stored in the memory 14 is maintained.

[1.2 Operation of electronic device 10 when flood occurs]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the processor 12 of the first embodiment. When a flood occurs, the submersion sensor 26 outputs a detection signal. Alternatively, the operator operates the operation button 28. Or, flood information is issued. The communication unit 16 inputs at least one of the detection signal output by the submersion sensor 26, the operation signal output by the operation button 28, and the flood information and sends it to the detection unit 36.

In step S1, the detection unit 36 monitors the presence or absence of submersion information. The submerged information is a detection signal output by the submerged sensor 26, an operation signal output by the operation button 28, or flood information.

In step S2, the detection unit 36 determines whether or not the electronic device 10 has been submerged, or whether or not there is a sign that the electronic device 10 is submerged. When the detection unit 36 detects the submersion information in step S1, it determines that the electronic device 10 is submerged or there is a sign that the electronic device 10 is submerged. In this case (step S2: YES), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when the detection unit 36 does not detect the submersion information in step S2, the detection unit 36 determines that the electronic device 10 is not submerged or that there is no sign that the electronic device 10 is submerged. In this case (step S2: NO), the process returns to step S1.

In step S3, the emergency control unit 40 backs up the data stored in the memory 14. Here, the emergency control unit 40 creates backup data. The communication unit 16 outputs the created backup data to the server 32.

In step S4, the emergency control unit 40 outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit 20 to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory 14 after the data backup performed in step S3 is completed. The switching unit 20 to which the cutoff control signal is input switches from the closed state to the open state, and cuts off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory 14. After the backup voltage is cut off, the switching unit 20 maintains the open state.

When the submersion of the electronic device 10 is resolved, the restoration work of the electronic device 10 is performed. At this time, the emergency control unit 40 outputs a connection control signal to the switching unit 20 in the open state. Then, the switching unit 20 switches from the open state to the closed state, and a voltage is supplied from the battery 18 to the memory 14.

According to the first embodiment, even if the electronic device 10 is submerged, the voltage is not supplied from the battery 18 to the memory 14. Therefore, no electrolytic corrosion occurs in the memory 14, and repair of the memory 14 due to the electrolytic corrosion becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the electronic device 10 can be used at an early stage after the flood occurs.

By the way, as the switching unit 20, a normally closed relay that maintains an open state by being continuously energized from the external power supply 22 may be used instead of the latching relay. However, when the power from the external power supply 22 is no longer supplied, the normally closed relay switches from the open state to the closed state. Then, since the battery 18 and the memory 14 are electrically connected, there is a possibility that electrolytic corrosion may occur in the memory 14. On the other hand, the latching relay does not switch to the closed state regardless of the presence or absence of power unless a connection control signal is input after switching from the closed state to the open state. Therefore, the battery 18 and the memory 14 are not electrically connected, and no electrolytic corrosion occurs in the memory 14.

[2 Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, while the memory 14 does not undergo electrolytic corrosion, there is a risk that electrolytic corrosion may occur around the battery 18. If electrolytic corrosion occurs around the battery 18, the battery cage 42 needs to be repaired. While the battery cage 42 is being repaired, the electronic device 10 becomes unusable. The second embodiment is to enable the electronic device 10 to be used at an early stage even when electrolytic corrosion occurs around the battery 18.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the electronic device 10 and the peripheral device according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. A characteristic portion of the second embodiment is in the battery cage 42. In the second embodiment, the battery cage 42 (second holding portion) can be attached to and detached from the substrate 34 (first holding portion).

The operation of the electronic device 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as the operation of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, when electrolytic corrosion occurs around the battery 18, the electronic device 10 is used by removing the battery cage 42 from the substrate 34 and attaching a new battery cage 42 to the substrate 34. be able to. Therefore, the electronic device 10 can be used at an early stage after the flood occurs.

[3 Third Embodiment]
If the external power supply 22 fails due to a flood or the like, power will not be supplied to the electronic device 10. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, if the power supply from the external power supply 22 is cut off before the emergency control unit 40 switches the switching unit 20 to the open state, the emergency control unit 40 changes the switching unit 20. Cannot be switched to the open state. In the first place, when the power supply from the external power supply 22 is cut off, the emergency control unit 40 and the communication unit 16 do not function. The third embodiment makes it possible to perform a process related to backup even when there is no power supply from the external power source 22.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the electronic device 10 and the peripheral device according to the third embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The characteristic part of the third embodiment is that the functions of the processor 12 of the first embodiment are divided into the main processor 12a and the backup processor 12b, and the backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16 are the power of the battery 18. It is in the point that it can be driven by.

The main processor 12a functions as the main control unit 38. The backup processor 12b functions as a detection unit 36 and an emergency control unit 40. The backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16 are electrically connected to the battery 18 via the lead wire 44 and the switching unit 20 in the same manner as the memory 14. The backup processor 12b, the memory 14, the communication unit 16, the battery 18, and the switching unit 20 constitute a battery drive unit 46.

The backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16 may always be electrically connected to the battery 18, or may be electrically connected to the external power supply 22 at normal times, and when the power supply from the external power supply 22 is cut off, the backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16 may be electrically connected to each other. It may be electrically connected to the battery 18.

Also in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the battery cage 42 (second holding portion) may be attached to and detached from the substrate 34 (first holding portion).

The operation of the electronic device 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as the operation of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, power can be supplied from the battery 18 to the backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16 even when the power is not supplied from the external power source 22. Therefore, the communication unit 16 can input and output information. Further, the emergency control unit 40 can create backup data of the data stored in the memory 14, and can switch the switching unit 20 to the open state.

[4 Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the electronic device 10 and the peripheral device according to the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The characteristic part of the fourth embodiment is that the functions of the emergency control unit 40 of the first embodiment are divided into the substrate 34 side and the battery cage 42 side as the first control unit 40a and the second control unit 40b. At the point.

The board 34 is provided with a first processor 12c, a first memory 14a, and a first communication unit 16a. On the other hand, the battery holder 42 is provided with a second processor 12d, a second memory 14b, a second communication unit 16b, a battery 18, and a switching unit 20.

The first processor 12c functions as a first detection unit 36a, a main control unit 38, and a first control unit 40a by executing a program stored in the first memory 14a. The first detection unit 36a has the same function as the detection unit 36 of the first embodiment. The first control unit 40a controls the backup of the data stored in the first memory 14a.

The first memory 14a has a volatile memory. The first memory 14a stores data related to the main control of the electronic device 10. The first communication unit 16a has various communication devices that are communicably connected to the submersion sensor 26, the operation button 28, and the server 32.

The second processor 12d functions as a second detection unit 36b and a second control unit 40b by executing a program stored in the second memory 14b. The second detection unit 36b has the same function as the detection unit 36 of the first embodiment. The second control unit 40b supplies a control signal (for example, a pulse signal) to the switching unit 20 of the battery holder 42 to switch between supplying and shutting off the voltage (backup voltage) from the battery 18 to the first memory 14a.

The second memory 14b stores the program used by the second processor 12d. The second communication unit 16b has various communication devices communicably connected to the submersion sensor 26 and the operation button 28.

Also in the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the battery cage 42 (second holding portion) may be attached to and detached from the substrate 34 (first holding portion).

The operation of the electronic device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the operation of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment. However, in the fourth embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first control unit 40a performs the backup process (process of step S3), and the second control unit 40b performs the cutoff process (process of step S4). Therefore, the second control unit 40b needs to perform a cutoff process after the backup process is completed.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the second memory 14b stores the backup time as the time required for the backup process in advance. The second control unit 40b starts timing when the second detection unit 36b detects the submerged information, and performs a cutoff process after the backup time has elapsed.

Further, the first control unit 40a or the second control unit 40b may perform a process at the time of shutdown of the electronic device 10 before the power supply from the external power supply 22 is cut off. The first control unit 40a or the second control unit 40b can back up the data stored in, for example, the first memory 14a to the server 32 or the second memory 14b as a process at the time of shutdown. As a result, even if a flood occurs in a state where power is not supplied from the external power source 22, the electronic device 10 can keep a backup of data related to the main control.

According to the fourth embodiment, the second communication unit 16b can input / output information even when the power is not supplied from the external power supply 22. Further, the second control unit 40b can switch the switching unit 20 to the open state. Further, according to the fourth embodiment, the substrate 34 side does not need a configuration for performing the switching process.

[Invention obtained from 5 embodiments]
The inventions that can be grasped from the above embodiments are described below.

An aspect of the present invention is an electronic device (10) including a battery (18) that supplies a backup voltage to a memory (14), and an input / output unit (16) for inputting / outputting information and the input / output unit input the input / output unit (16). A detection unit (36) that detects the submersion of the electronic device or a sign of submersion based on the information, a switching unit (20) that switches between supplying and shutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory, and the detection. The switching unit is provided with an emergency control unit (40) that outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion. After the cutoff control signal is supplied, the unit supplies the backup voltage to the memory until the connection control signal is sent from the emergency control unit, even if the cutoff control signal is not supplied. Maintain a cutoff.

In the above aspect, the switching unit may include a latching relay that switches between supply and interruption of the backup voltage from the battery to the memory.

In the above embodiment, the detection unit has a detection signal of a submersion sensor (26) provided outside the electronic device, flood information acquired from the Internet, and an operation signal from an operation button (28) operated by an operator. , The submersion of the electronic device or the sign of submersion may be detected by acquiring at least one of the above.

In the above embodiment, the main control unit (38) that performs control other than the control performed by the emergency control unit is provided, and the detection unit, the switching unit, the main control unit, the emergency control unit, and the input / output unit are provided. The battery is operated by the electric power supplied from the external power source (22), and the battery has the detection unit, the switching unit, and the emergency control unit when the supply of the electric power from the external power source is cut off. And the power may be supplied to the input / output unit (third embodiment).

In the above aspect, the input / output unit has a first input / output unit (16a) and a second input / output unit (16b), and the detection unit is based on the information input by the first input / output unit. A first detection unit (36a) that detects a sign of submersion or submersion of the electronic device, and a second detection unit that detects a sign of submersion or submersion of the electronic device based on the information input by the second input / output unit. (36b), the emergency control unit uses the first input / output unit to record data in the memory when the first detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion. When the first control unit (40a) for outputting the backup data of the electronic device to the external server (32) of the electronic device and the second detection unit detect submersion or a sign of submersion, the backup voltage to the memory A second control unit (40b) for shutting off the supply of the above may be provided (fourth embodiment).

In the above embodiment, the first control unit and the main control unit that performs control other than the control performed by the second control unit are provided, and the first detection unit, the first control unit, the first input / output unit, and the main unit are provided. The control unit is operated by electric power supplied from an external power source, and the second detection unit, the second control unit, the second input / output unit, and the switching unit are operated by the electric power supplied from the battery. The second control unit may be operated, and the supply of the backup voltage to the memory may be cut off after the backup data is transmitted to the server.

In the above embodiment, the first holding unit (34) for holding the memory and the second holding unit (42) for holding the battery and the switching unit are provided, and the second holding unit is the first holding unit. It may be attached to and detached from the portion (second to fourth embodiments).

In the above embodiment, the first holding unit (34) that holds the memory, the detection unit, the main control unit, the emergency control unit, and the input / output unit, and the second holding unit that holds the battery and the switching unit. A portion (42) is provided, and the second holding portion may be attached to and detached from the first holding portion (second and third embodiments).

In the above embodiment, the first holding unit (34) that holds the memory, the first detection unit, the first control unit, and the first input / output unit, the battery, the switching unit, and the second detection unit. A second holding unit (42) for holding the second control unit and the second input / output unit is provided, and the second holding unit can be attached to and detached from the first holding unit. Also good (fourth embodiment).

It should be noted that the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and of course, various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10 ... Electronic device 14 ... Memory 16 ... Communication unit (input / output unit) 16a ... First communication unit (first input / output unit)
16b ... Second communication unit (second input / output unit) 18 ... Battery 20 ... Switching unit 22 ... External power supply 26 ... Submersion sensor 28 ... Operation button 32 ... Server 34 ... Board (first holding unit)
36 ... Detection unit 36a ... First detection unit
36b ... Second detection unit 38 ... Main control unit 40 ... Emergency control unit 40a ... First control unit 40b ... Second control unit 42 ... Battery cage (second holding unit)

Claims (9)

An electronic device equipped with a battery that supplies backup voltage to memory.
Input / output section for input / output information and
A detection unit that detects submersion or a sign of submersion of the electronic device based on the information input by the input / output unit.
A switching unit that switches between supplying and shutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory.
An emergency control unit that outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion.
Equipped with
After the cutoff control signal is supplied, the switching unit has the backup voltage to the memory until the connection control signal is sent from the emergency control unit even if the cutoff control signal is not supplied. An electronic device that maintains a supply cutoff. The electronic device according to claim 1.
The switching unit is an electronic device including a latching relay that switches between supplying and shutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.
The detection unit acquires at least one of a detection signal of a submersion sensor provided outside the electronic device, flood information acquired from the Internet, and an operation signal from an operation button operated by an operator. An electronic device that detects submersion or a sign of submersion of the electronic device. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A main control unit that performs control other than the control performed by the emergency control unit is provided.
The detection unit, the switching unit, the main control unit, the emergency control unit, and the input / output unit are operated by electric power supplied from an external power source.
The battery is an electronic device that supplies electric power to the detection unit, the switching unit, the emergency control unit, and the input / output unit when the supply of electric power from the external power source is cut off. The electronic device according to claim 3.
The input / output unit is
It has a first input / output unit and a second input / output unit.
The detector is
A first detection unit that detects submersion or a sign of submersion of the electronic device based on the information input by the first input / output unit.
It has a second detection unit that detects submersion or a sign of submersion of the electronic device based on the information input by the second input / output unit.
The emergency control unit
When the first detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion, the first input / output unit is used to output backup data of data recorded in the memory to a server outside the electronic device. Control unit and
An electronic device having a second control unit that cuts off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the second detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion. The electronic device according to claim 5.
A main control unit that performs control other than the control performed by the first control unit and the second control unit is provided.
The first detection unit, the first control unit, the first input / output unit, and the main control unit are operated by electric power supplied from an external power source.
The second detection unit, the second control unit, the second input / output unit, and the switching unit are operated by the electric power supplied from the battery.
The second control unit is an electronic device that cuts off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory after the backup data is transmitted to the server. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The first holding unit that holds the memory and
A second holding portion for holding the battery and the switching portion is provided.
The second holding portion is an electronic device that can be attached to and detached from the first holding portion. The electronic device according to claim 4.
A first holding unit that holds the memory, the detection unit, the main control unit, the emergency control unit, and the input / output unit.
A second holding portion for holding the battery and the switching portion is provided.
The second holding portion is an electronic device that can be attached to and detached from the first holding portion. The electronic device according to claim 5 or 6.
A first holding unit that holds the memory, the first detection unit, the first control unit, and the first input / output unit.
The battery, the switching unit, the second detection unit, the second control unit, and the second holding unit for holding the second input / output unit are provided.
The second holding portion is an electronic device that can be attached to and detached from the first holding portion.

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