JP3885218B2 - Signal processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present inventionSignal processing apparatus and methodIn particular, for example, in digital television broadcasting, it is easy to change the routing path in multi-channel broadcastingSignal processing apparatus and methodAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In television broadcasting, for example, when a commercial message (hereinafter abbreviated as CM) is incorporated into a main program, or when another recorded program material is incorporated into a live material (material not recorded), the material is provided. For example, it is necessary to switch the server (change the routing route).
[0003]
In the case of analog broadcasting, there is basically one channel provided by the broadcaster (program supplier), and the broadcaster only has to manage the change of the routing route performed in that one channel. Multi-channel broadcasting is possible for satellite broadcasting based on the coding system represented by (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2), for example, DirectTv in North America, PerfectTv and JSkyB in Japan. Unlike the program provider, the broadcaster needs to manage the routing route change that occurs in many channels.
[0004]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a conventional digital television broadcast, and a conventional routing path change management will be described using the example.
[0005]
The baseband system 60 mainly includes material servers 61-1 to 61-18, promotion servers 62-1 to 62-5, and a switcher 63. The material server 61 (hereinafter referred to as material servers 61-1 to 61-5). 61-18 is simply referred to as a material server 61. The same applies to other devices.) Stores the main material, and the promotion server 62 stores CM material and promotion material. And the stored materials are sent to the switcher 63.
[0006]
The switcher 63 includes input switches 64-1 to 64-23 and output switches 65-1 to 65-60. The input switches 64-1 to 64-23 are connected to the material server 61 and the promotion server 62, and materials from the material server 61 and the promotion server 62 are input. The output switch 65 is provided for each channel (assuming that there are 60 channels in this case), and each output switch 65 is connected to the processing system 70 and supplies the information input to the input switch 64 to the processing system 70. ing. In other words, for example, the main material stored in the material server 61-1 is supplied to the channel 2 by connecting the input switch 64-1 and the output switch 65-2.
[0007]
The processing system 70 multiplexes information transmitted from the baseband system 60 and other predetermined information for each channel, and transmits the multiplexed information to the IF system 71. The IF system 71 is configured such that the multiplexed signal transmitted from the processing system 70 is QPSK modulated and converted into an IF signal, further converted into an RF signal, and transmitted to a satellite (not shown).
[0008]
In such digital television broadcasting, for example, the promotion server is connected to channel 1 (the input switch 64-1 and the output switch 65-1 are connected) to which the main material from the material server 61-1 is supplied. When the CM material stored in 62-1 is sandwiched, it is necessary to change the routing path. At this time, based on the program operation information, the operator turns off the input switch 64-1, turns on the input switch 64-19, and connects it to the output switch 65-1. When returning to the main part again, the operator turns off the input switch 64-19, turns on the input switch 64-1, and connects to the output switch 65-1. As described above, the operator operates the switcher 63 based on the program operation information and manages the change of the routing path performed in each channel.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, managing the change of the routing route in the multi-channel broadcasting exceeding 100 channels, for example, is a manual operation, and it is difficult to manage.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and in particular, by controlling the routing route of a channel via a single network, it is easy to manage the change of the routing route in multi-channel broadcasting. is there.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The signal processing device according to claim 1 is configured to manage a routing path for each channel based on operation information of each channel, and a material baseband signal provided by the routing path managed by the management means. And a transmission means for transmitting to the transmission device, the management means recognizes the channel for managing the routing route based on the operation information of each channel, and the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel is the main material To the node corresponding to the channel recognized to manage the routing path among the nodes provided for each channel, the determination means for determining whether it is a baseband signal or a baseband signal of embedded material, The material baseband signal to be provided for the channel determined by the determination means is stored. Server identification information, and setting means for setting switcher identification information capable of supplying the material baseband signal stored in the server to the transmission means. The transmission means is supplied by the switcher whose identification information is set in the node. The material baseband signal thus transmitted is transmitted to a transmission apparatus as material constituting a channel.
[0012]
  Claim4In the signal processing method described in the above, the management step for managing the routing path for each channel based on the operation information of each channel, and the material baseband signal provided by the routing path managed in the processing of the management step, The management step recognizes the channel for managing the routing route based on the operation information of each channel, and the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel is the base of the main material. Judgment step to determine whether the signal is a band signal or a baseband signal of embedded material, and the node corresponding to the channel recognized to manage the routing route among the nodes provided for each channel is determined Material base van to be provided to the channel determined by the processing of the step Including identification information of the server storing the signal and setting step of setting identification information of a switcher that can input the material baseband signal stored in the server to the processing of the transmission step, and the transmission step identifies the node A material baseband signal input by a switcher in which information is set is transmitted to a transmitter as a material constituting a channel.
[0013]
  A signal processing device according to claim 1 and a claim4In the signal processing method described in (1), the routing path for each channel is managed based on the operation information of each channel, and the material baseband signal provided by the managed routing path is transmitted to the transmission device. Based on the operation information of each channel, the channel that manages the routing route is recognized, and the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel is the baseband signal of the main part material or the baseband signal of the embedded material A server in which the determined material baseband signal to be provided to the channel is stored in the node corresponding to the channel recognized to manage the routing path among the nodes provided for each channel. And the identification information of the switcher that can input the material baseband signal stored in the server to the transmission step. The material baseband signal input by the switcher whose identification information is set in the node is transmitted to the transmission device as the material constituting the channel.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but in order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, in parentheses after each means, The features of the present invention will be described with the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) added. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to the description.
[0016]
  The signal processing device according to claim 1 is a management unit that manages the routing route for each channel based on the operation information of each channel (for example, FIG. 3). BCS 20, a switcher 31) and a transmission unit (for example, FIG. 3) that transmits a material baseband signal provided through a routing path managed by the management unit to the transmission device. RCC 33), and the management means recognizes the channel for managing the routing route based on the operation information of each channel (for example, step S3 in FIG. 4) (see paragraph [0042]), and The material baseband signal to be provided is a baseband signal of a main part material (for example, main part program) (see paragraph number [0002]) or an embedded material (for example, cm ) Determining means for determining whether the signal is a baseband signal (see paragraph [0002]) (for example, performing the process of step S4 in FIG. 4 in FIG. 3) BCS 20 computers 21) (see paragraph [0042]) and the node corresponding to the channel recognized to manage the routing route among the nodes provided for each channel (for example, the node 21-1 in FIG. 3) ), The identification information of the server (for example, the material server 41 in FIG. 3) storing the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel determined by the determining means, and the material baseband signal stored in the server. Setting means for setting identification information of a switcher (for example, the switcher 31 in FIG. 3) that can be supplied to the transmission means (for example, performing steps S5 and S8 in FIG. 4). BCS 20 (refer to paragraph numbers [0043] and [0047]), and the transmission means uses the material baseband signal supplied by the switcher whose identification information is set in the node as the material constituting the channel. It transmits to a transmitter (for example, step S7 of FIG. 4), It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a digital broadcasting system to which the present invention is applied. A broadcast program organization system (hereinafter abbreviated as BDPS (Broadcast Data Processing System)) 1 registers and manages a program organization table of broadcast materials (main material, CM material, and promotional material) in charge of a program supply company. The control information based on the program organization table is transmitted to the central processing system 3.
[0018]
The baseband system 2 stores the broadcast material itself, converts the broadcast material into a baseband signal, and supplies it to the central processing system 3 based on control information supplied from the central processing system 3. Yes.
[0019]
The central processing system 3 extracts information corresponding to the customer management system (hereinafter abbreviated as SMS (Subscriber Management System)) 4 and the baseband system 2 from the control information transmitted from the BDPS 1, respectively. Information supplied from the BDPS 1, baseband system 2, and customer viewing authorization system (hereinafter abbreviated as SAS (Subscriber Authorization System)) 5 is supported by a plurality of transponders of satellites (not shown). Each chain is multiplexed and transmitted to the IF system 6.
[0020]
The IF system 6 is configured such that the multiplexed signal transmitted from the central processing system 3 is QPSK modulated, converted into an IF signal, further converted into an RF signal, and transmitted to a satellite (not shown).
[0021]
SMS4 stores information related to customer management such as customer registration information and fee collection information. SAS5 receives EMM (Entitlement Management Message) data sent from SMS4, encrypts the EMM data, Further, it is packetized and sent to the central processing system 3.
[0022]
Next, information handled between the BDPS 1, the baseband system 2, the central processing system 3, and the IF system 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0023]
The BDPS 1-1 to 1-L are provided for each program supply company, and create, register, and manage a program organization table of main material, CM material, and promotion material that each program supply company is in charge of. This program organization table includes, for example, a service information file in which information related to a program provider is recorded, an event information file in which information such as a schedule of a broadcast program in an hour unit is recorded, and a broadcast program in a unit of 15 seconds. Central processing is divided into operation information files in which information such as time schedules is recorded and PPS information files in which information on programs broadcast in series (programs broadcast in several times) is recorded. It is supplied to the system 3.
[0024]
The central processing system 3 includes a network management database (hereinafter abbreviated as NMD (Network Management Database)) 10 and a program guide system (hereinafter abbreviated as PGS (Program Guide System)) 11. Receives and holds information (service information file, event information file, operation information file, and PPS information file) transmitted from BDPS 1-1 to 1-L and distributes them to PGS units 11-1 to 11-M The operation information file is transmitted to the baseband system 2. The PGS units 11-1 to 11-M receive the information transmitted from the NMD unit 10 and the baseband signal transmitted from the baseband system 2 for each of M chains corresponding to a plurality of satellite transponders (not shown). And transmitted to the IF system 6.
[0025]
The baseband system 2 is configured to transmit the broadcast material converted into a baseband signal based on the operation information file supplied from the NMD unit 10 to the PGS unit 11 of the central processing system 3.
[0026]
Next, FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration example of the baseband system 2.
[0027]
The baseband control subsystem (hereinafter abbreviated as BCS (Baseband Control Subsystem)) 20-1 to 20-N includes a computer 21 and nodes 22-1 to 22-3, and the computer 21 has a protocol converter function. Then, predetermined information is taken in via the trunk LAN 25 and the BCS-LAN 30, and predetermined information is set in the nodes 22-1 to 22-3 based on the information. Each of the nodes 22-1 to 22-3 selects one of the switchers 31-1 to 31-X based on the information set by the computer 21, and is selected via the SEC-NET-LAN 50. The switcher 31 is controlled.
[0028]
The BCS 20 is connected to the BDPS 1, the NMD unit 10, the redundant BCS 32-1 and 32-2, the router control computer (hereinafter abbreviated as RCC (Router Control Computer)) 33, the SEC-NET controller 34, and the network time via the trunk LAN 25. Connected to a process unit (hereinafter abbreviated as NTP (Network Time Process)) 35, connected to redundant BCS 32, RCC 33, material server 41, and promotion server 42 through BCS-LAN 30, and through SEC-NET-LAN 50 The switcher 31, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, the SEC-NET controller 34, the NTP 35, the promotion server 42, the studio apparatus 52, the NET-CUE-DET 53, and the TCG 54. Redundant BCS 32-1 and 32-2 have the same configuration as BCS 20 and are connected to trunk LAN 25, BCS-LAN 30 and SEC-NET-LAN 50, and any of BCS 20-1 to 20-N fails , It is designed to replace it.
[0029]
The switchers 31-1 to 31-X are configured by, for example, a switching device, and via the SEC-NET-LAN 50, the BCS 20, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, the SEC-NET controller 34, the NTP 35, the promotion server 42, the studio device 52, A predetermined material connected to the NET-CUE-DET 53 and the TCG 54, controlled by the BCS 20, and stored in the material server 41 and the promotion server 42 is transmitted to the RCC 33.
[0030]
The RCC 33 includes a node, a protocol converter, a controller, and a router (not shown), and is connected to the BDPS 1, the NMD unit 10, the BCS 20, the redundant BCS 32, the SEC-NET controller 34, and the NTP 35 via the trunk LAN 25. The BCS 20, the redundant BCS 32, the material server 41, and the promotion server 42 are connected via the LAN 30, and the BCS 20, the switcher 31, the redundant BCS 32, the SEC-NET controller 34, the NTP 35, and the promotion server 42 are connected via the SEC-NET-LAN 50. Are connected to the studio apparatus 52, the NET-CUE-DET 53, and the TCG 54.
[0031]
The RCC 33 controls a router (not shown) constituting the RCC 33 based on the information supplied from the SEC-NET controller 34, selects a baseband signal transmitted from the material server 41 or the promotion server 42, and performs central processing. The data is transmitted to the system 3.
[0032]
The SEC-NET controller 34 includes a node and a computer (not shown), and is connected to the BDPS 1, the NMD unit 10, the BCS 20, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, and the NTP 35 via the trunk LAN 25, and via the SEC-NET-LAN 50. , BCS 20, switcher 31, redundant BCS 32, RCC 33, NTP 35, promotion server 42, studio device 52, NET-CUE-DET 53, and TCG 54.
[0033]
The SEC-NET controller 34 receives and holds the operation information file supplied from the NMD unit 10, and supplies the operation information file to the BCS 20-1 to 20 -N and the RCC 33.
[0034]
The NTP 35 obtains the time code from the TCG 54 via the SEC-NET-LAN 50, and sends it to the BDPS 1, the NMD unit 10, the BCS 20, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, and the SEC-NET controller 34 via the trunk LAN 25. To the BCS 20, the switcher 31, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, the SEC-NET controller 34, the promotion server 42, the studio device 52, and the NET-CUE-DET 53 via the SEC-NET-LAN 50. ing. For example, the BCS 20 and the RCC 33 calibrate their own clocks using the time code supplied from the NTP 35.
[0035]
The material servers 41-1 to 41 -Y are composed of, for example, a tape information transmission device, and are connected to the BCS 20, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, and the promotion server 42 via the BCS-LAN 30 and recorded in advance on tape. The main material is stored, and the stored material is transmitted to the RCC 33 via a network (not shown) by the switcher 31 controlled by the BCS 20. The material servers 41-1 to 41-Y are provided so as to correspond to the BCSs 20-1 to 20-N, respectively (basically one to one).
[0036]
The promotion servers 42-1 to 42-Z are composed of, for example, a computer and a server, and are connected to the BCS 20, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, and the material server 41 via the BCS-LAN 30, and via the SEC-NET-LAN 40, The BCS 20, the switcher 31, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, the SEC-NET controller 34, the NTP 35, the studio apparatus 52, the NET-CUE-DET 53, and the TCG 54 are connected. The promotion server 42 stores the CM material and the promotion material, and transmits the stored material to the RCC 33 via the network (not shown) by the switcher 31 controlled by the BCS 20.
[0037]
The studio apparatus 52 is composed of, for example, a signal transmission apparatus, and via the SEC-NET-LAN 50, the BCS 20, the switcher 31, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, the SEC-NET controller 34, the NTP 35, the promotion server 42, the NET-CUE-DET 53, And connected to the TCG 54. When the main material is a live material, the studio device 52 transmits a predetermined signal to the BCS 20 when the CM material or the promotion material is incorporated into the live material. Actually, there are a plurality of studio apparatuses 52, but in the drawing, only one studio apparatus 52 is shown for simplification of illustration.
[0038]
The NET-CUE-DET 53 is composed of, for example, a signal transmission device, and via the SEC-NET-LAN 50, the BCS 20, the switcher 31, the redundant BCS 32, the RCC 33, the SEC-NET controller 34, the NTP 35, the promotion server 42, the studio device 52, And connected to the TCG 54. NET-CUE-DET 53, when the main material is a material input from the line, when incorporating CM material or promotional material into the material input from the line, NET-CUE-DET 53 sends a predetermined signal to the BCS 20 It is made to send. Note that although there are a plurality of NET-CUE-DETs 53, only one NET-CUE-DET 53 is shown in FIG.
[0039]
The TCG 54 is composed of, for example, a clock and a computer, and is connected to the SEC-NET-LAN 50 and supplies a time code to the NTP 35.
[0040]
Next, a processing procedure for changing a routing path in the established state will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0041]
In step S1, the SEC-NET controller 34 obtains an operation information file from the NMD unit 10 via the trunk LAN 25. In step S2, the SEC-NET controller 34 transmits the BCS 20- via the SEC-NET-LAN 50. The operation information file is supplied to 1 to 20-N and the RCC 33.
[0042]
Next, in step S3, the computers 21 of the BCS 20-1 to 20-N recognize a channel for managing the routing route (hereinafter referred to as a responsible channel) based on the operation information file, and in step S4, the BCS 20 The computer 21 further determines whether the material to be provided to the assigned channel is the main material, CM material, or promotional material. If it is determined in step S4 that the material to be provided to the assigned channel is the main material, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0043]
Next, in step S5, the computer 21 of the BCS 20 obtains the identification information of the material server storing the main material corresponding to the assigned channel among the material servers 41-1 to 41-X and the switcher 31 that controls the material server. For example, the node 22-1 is set. In this case, for example, if the material server 41-1 stores the main material corresponding to the assigned channel, and the switcher 31-1 controls the material server 41-1, the material server 41. -1 and the identification number of the switcher 31-1 are set in the node 22-1.
[0044]
Next, in step S6, the switcher 31-1 designated in step S5 selects the information supplied from the designated material server 41-1 and outputs it to the router 33A.
[0045]
Next, in step S7, the RCC 33 controls the built-in router 33A, and selects the main material transmitted from the material server 41-1 based on the operation information file supplied from the SEC-NET controller 34 in step S2. And sent to the central processing system 3.
[0046]
As described above, the routing path for providing the main material to the assigned channel is established. However, when CM material or promotional material is incorporated in the main material, the routing path is changed to provide CM material or promotional material. Another routing path must be established. In this case, in step S4, the computer 21 of the BCS 20 determines that the material to be provided to the assigned channel is a CM material or a promotion material, and proceeds to step S8.
[0047]
In step S8, the computer 21 of the BCS 20 identifies, among the promotion servers 42-1 to 42-Z, the promotion server storing the CM material or the promotion material provided to the assigned channel, and the identification information of the switcher 31 that controls the promotion server. Is set in the node 22-1. In this case, for example, when the promotion server 42-1 stores CM material or promotion material to be provided to the assigned channel, and the switcher 31-1 controls the promotion server 42-1, the promotion server The identification numbers of 42-1 and the switcher 31-1 are set in the note 22-1.
[0048]
Next, in step S5, the computer 21 of the BCS 20 obtains the identification information of the material server storing the main material corresponding to the assigned channel among the material servers 41-1 to 41-X and the switcher 31 that controls the material server. For example, the node 22-1 is set. In this case, for example, when the material server 41-1 stores the main material corresponding to the assigned channel, and the switcher 31-1 controls the material server 41-1, the material server 41-1 and the switcher 31 are stored. −1 is set in the node 22-1.
[0049]
Next, in step S9, the switcher 31-1 designated in step S8 selects information supplied from the designated promotion server 42-1, and outputs it to the router 33A.
[0050]
Next, in step S7, the RCC 33 controls a router (not shown), and based on the operation information file supplied from the SEC-NET controller in step S2, the CM material or the promotion material transmitted from the promotion server 42-1. And sent to the central processing system 3.
[0051]
As described above, the BCS 20 can change the routing route of the assigned channel by controlling the switcher 31 via the SEC-NET-LAN 50. That is, the broadcaster can easily manage the change of the routing path even in multi-channel broadcasting by providing a plurality of BCSs 20 in the SEC-NET-LAN 50.
[0052]
In this case, one BCS 20 manages routing paths for three channels (has three nodes 22), but in this way, a small scale manages routing paths for several channels. A configuration in which a plurality of BCSs 20 are arranged can cope with an increase in the number of channels by simply adding more BCSs 20 and facilitates system expansion.
[0053]
The number of channels in charge of one BCS 20 is determined by the recording capacity of one material server 41, and it is assumed that the material server 41 normally has a recording capacity capable of continuously broadcasting a program for about two days. The number of assigned channels is set. This means that if the storage capacity of the material server 41 increases, the number of channels in charge of the BCS 20 can be increased. However, if the BCS 20 has many channels in charge, it takes time to expand the above-described system. .
[0054]
As a providing medium for providing a computer program for performing the processing as described above to a user, a communication medium such as a network or a satellite can be used in addition to a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a CD-ROM, or a fixed memory. .
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the change management of the routing path | route in multichannel broadcasting can be performed easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital broadcasting system to which the present invention is applied.
2 is a diagram for explaining information handled between the BDPS 1, the baseband system 2, the central processing system 3, and the IF system 6 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a more specific configuration example of the baseband system 2;
4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital broadcasting system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional digital broadcasting system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 broadcast program organization system, 2 baseband system, 3 central processing system, 4 customer management system, 5 customer viewing permission system, 6 IF system, 10 NMD section, 11 PGS section, 20 BCS, 21 computer, 22 node, 25 trunk LAN, 30 BCS-LAN, 31 Switcher, 32 Redundant BCS, 33 RCC, 34 SEC-NET Controller, 35 NTP, 41 Material Server, 42 Promotion Server, 50 SEC-NET-LAN, 52 Studio Equipment, 53 NET-CUE- DET, 54 TCG, 60 baseband system, 61 material server, 62 promotion server, 63 switcher, 64 input switch, 65 output switch, 70 processing system, 71 IF system

Claims (4)

In a signal processing device that provides a material baseband signal that constitutes a channel to a transmission device that transmits a multi-channel digital broadcast signal,
Management means for managing the routing route for each channel based on the operation information of each channel,
A transmission means for transmitting a material baseband signal provided by the routing path managed by the management means to a transmission device;
The management means includes
Based on the operation information of each channel, the channel for managing the routing route is recognized, and the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel is the baseband signal of the main material or the baseband signal of the embedded material. Determination means for determining whether or not
Of the nodes provided for each channel, the node corresponding to the channel recognized to manage the routing route stores the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel determined by the determining means. Identification information and setting means for setting identification information of a switcher capable of supplying the material baseband signal stored in the server to the transmission means,
The signal processing apparatus, wherein the transmission means transmits the material baseband signal supplied by a switcher whose identification information is set in the node, to the transmission apparatus as a material constituting the channel. The signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switcher is provided for each routing path. The determination unit, the setting unit, and the node constitute one apparatus, and the node, the switcher, and the transmission unit are connected to a predetermined control line. The signal processing apparatus as described. In a signal processing method for providing a material baseband signal that constitutes a channel to a transmission device that transmits a multi-channel digital broadcast signal,
Based on the operation information of each channel, the management step to manage the routing route for each channel,
A transmission step of transmitting a material baseband signal provided by the routing path managed in the process of the management step to a transmission device;
The management step includes
Based on the operation information of each channel, the channel for managing the routing route is recognized, and the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel is the baseband signal of the main material or the baseband signal of the embedded material. A determination step for determining whether or not
Of the nodes provided for each channel, the node corresponding to the channel recognized to manage the routing path stores the material baseband signal to be provided to the channel determined in the determination step. A setting step for setting identification information of a switcher and identification information of a switcher that can input a material baseband signal stored in the server to the processing of the transmission step,
The signal transmission method characterized in that the transmitting step transmits the material baseband signal input by a switcher whose identification information is set in the node to the transmitting apparatus as a material constituting the channel.

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