JP4403650B2 - Vending machine control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a control method for an automatic vending machine, and more particularly, X-Y transport mechanism fails, when it becomes impossible to product acceptance from some column treats sold out products of the portion of the column Thus, the present invention relates to a control method for a vending machine capable of selling commodities within an operable range of an XY transport mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in order to urge the vending machine users to purchase products, the front door of the main body case and the insulated door are formed as perspective doors so that the products in the warehouse and their sales operations can be seen from the outside. Various vending machines are provided. As an example of such a vending machine, for example, the present applicant has disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-302140.
[0003]
7 is a perspective view showing a conventional vending machine according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-302140, FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the inside of the main body case, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an XY transport mechanism. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a detection mechanism for the Y-axis position in the Y-axis rail, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the detection mechanism for the X-axis position in the X-axis rail.
[0004]
First, the overall configuration of the vending machine will be described with reference to FIGS. The main body case 1 stores and stores products and carries them out as necessary. The main body case 1 includes an outer door 2 having a transparent plate 2a and an inner door 3 having a transparent plate 3a so as to be freely opened and closed. . Further, the main body case 1 includes a product storage rack 4 in which columns 4a for storing products in a line in the front and rear direction are arranged in the upper and lower rows and the left and right rows.
[0005]
The commodity storage rack 4 is composed of a box rack, a spiral rack (not shown), a conveyor rack (not shown), etc., which are formed so as to send out the goods forward based on a sales command. Each column 4 a is mounted on a plurality of shelves 5 provided in the main body case 1.
[0006]
In addition, the interior of the main body case 1 is divided into an upper chamber 7 and a lower chamber by a partition plate 6 as a heat insulating panel in order to divide the storage temperature range of the product (for example, two chambers for hot beverage and cold beverage). Insulated into chamber 8. This partition plate 6 is normally in a closed state, and is configured to open and secure its trajectory when an X-axis transport mechanism 9a described later moves up and down.
[0007]
Inside the inner door 3, an XY transport mechanism 9 having an XY coordinate plane as the front surface of each column 4a is provided. As shown in FIG. 9, the XY transport mechanism 9 includes an X-axis transport mechanism 9 a that horizontally moves a bucket 10 that receives a product delivered from a box rack , and the X-axis transport mechanism 9 a in the vertical direction. And a Y-axis transport mechanism 9b that moves in the direction controlled by a control unit (not shown).
[0008]
The X-axis transport mechanism 9 a includes an X-axis rail 11 that movably supports the bucket 10, a slide plate 12 that supports the X-axis rail 11, an X-axis motor 13 and a timing belt 14 that move the bucket 10, and the bucket 10. The X-axis motor stop sensor 15, the X-axis stop position sensor 16, the limit sensor 17, and the like, which are fixed to the bucket 10, for example, are formed on the X-axis rail 11. And slits 18 and 19 for position detection by the sensors 15, 16 and 17.
[0009]
The X-axis motor stop sensor 15 is for stopping the X-axis motor 13, and the X-axis stop position sensor 16 is for checking the position of the bucket 10 stopped by the X-axis motor stop sensor 15. Yes, the limit sensor 17 detects the right and left movement limit position on the X-axis rail 11 and performs an emergency stop.
[0010]
The Y-axis transport mechanism 9b also includes a pair of left and right Y-axis rails 20 that slide-support the X-axis transport mechanism 9a, a shaft 21 that passes over the top of the Y-axis rail 20, and rotates the shaft 21 to generate a timing belt. A Y-axis motor 23 that drives the X-axis transport mechanism 9a up and down by driving 22 and a Y-axis motor stop sensor 24, a Y-axis stop position sensor 25, which is fixed to the slide plate 12 and is composed of, for example, a transmissive optical sensor, In order to balance the weight of the limit sensor 26, the slit plate 29 fixed to the Y-axis rail 20 and having a number of slits 27, 28 for detection by the sensors 24, 25, 26, and the X-axis transport mechanism 9a. The balancer 30 is provided.
[0011]
The Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 is for stopping the Y-axis motor 23, and the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 is for confirming the position of the bucket 10 stopped by the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24. Yes, the limit sensor 26 detects the movement upper limit position on the Y-axis rail 20 and performs an emergency stop. These sensors 24 and 25 are fixed to the slide plate 12 via the substrate 36.
[0012]
The bucket 10 that has received the product sent from the column is moved near the lower center by the XY transport mechanism 9 formed as described above, and the product in the outer door 2 is passed through the flapper 32 of the inner door 3. It is comprised so that goods may be carried out from the outlet 33. FIG.
[0013]
Next, the position detection control of the bucket 10 will be described. In the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b, when the Y-axis motor 23 is energized, the X-axis rail 11 is raised. Since the Y-axis rail 20 has slits 27 and 28 corresponding to each column , the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 detects the slit 27 and counts the number of detections. If it is determined that the target height has been reached based on the number of detections, energization to the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped.
[0014]
After the energization of the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped, the X-axis rail 11 continues to rise due to inertia (overrun) and stops at a position higher than the slit 27. If the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 detects the slit 28 when the X-axis rail 11 is stopped, it is determined that the X-axis rail 11 has stopped at the normal position.
[0015]
When the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 does not detect the slit 28 (when the overrun is small), the Y-axis motor 23 is energized for a certain time to finely adjust the stop position. If the slit 28 is detected after fine adjustment, it is determined that the X-axis rail 11 has stopped at the normal position. If not detected, this operation is repeated until detected.
[0016]
In the X-axis transport mechanism 9a, first, the X-axis motor 13 is energized to move the bucket 10 to the right. The X-axis rail 11, there is a slit 18 and 19 for position detection that correspond to the column the column, X-axis motor stop sensor 15 detects the slit 18, counts the number of detections. When it is determined that the target position has been reached based on the number of detections, the energization to the X-axis motor 13 is stopped.
[0017]
After the energization of the X-axis motor 13 is stopped, the bucket 10 continues to move to the right due to inertia (overrun) and stops at a position to the right of the slit 18. If the X-axis stop position sensor 16 detects the slit 19 when the bucket 10 stops, it is determined that the bucket 10 has stopped at the normal position.
[0018]
When the X-axis stop position sensor 16 does not detect the slit 19 (when the overrun is small), the X-axis motor 13 is energized for a certain time to finely adjust the stop position. If the slit 19 is detected after fine adjustment, it is determined that the bucket 10 has stopped at the normal position. If not detected, this operation is repeated until detected.
[0019]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional vending machine control method, even if the XY transport mechanism breaks down and the operation range is limited, the sale of all products is stopped. There was a problem of losing.
[0020]
The present invention was made in view of the above, X-Y transport mechanism fails, when it becomes impossible to product acceptance from some column, to treat it sold out products of the portion of the column An object of the present invention is to provide a control method for a vending machine capable of selling commodities within an operable range of an XY transport mechanism.
[0021]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a control method for a vending machine according to the present invention includes a product storage rack in which a plurality of columns are arranged in upper and lower rows and left and right rows, and a bucket at a front position of the product storage rack. And an X-Y conveyance mechanism that movably moves up and down and left and right, and when the bucket moves along the left and right direction, a slit corresponding to the column row is detected, and the bucket counts in the left and right direction according to the detected count number. X-axis motor stop sensor for detecting the position along the position, and when the bucket moves along the vertical direction, a slit corresponding to the column stage is detected, and the position along the vertical direction of the bucket is detected by the detected count number. and a Y-axis stop motor sensor for sensing, said based and vending command and the X-axis motor stop sensor output from said Y-axis stop motor sensor X Operating the Y transport mechanism, receiving the product selected in the bucket, there is provided a control method for an automatic vending machine for unloading the product outlet, unpredictable behavior of the bucket at the time of failure of the X-Y transport mechanism Based on the count result of the X-axis motor stop sensor and the count result of the Y-axis motor stop sensor, the position of the bucket is individually detected based on the count result of the X-axis motor stop sensor, and the position of the bucket is disabled. with a handle sold out products of certain columns, characterized in that so as to sell the column of the product in the operable position of the bucket.
[0022]
First, energization of the Y-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is started, and it is determined whether or not there is an input to the Y-axis position detection sensor. If there is an input to the Y-axis position detection sensor, energization to the Y-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is stopped.
[0023]
On the other hand, if there is no input to the Y-axis position detection sensor, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not there is an input to the position detection sensor for the Y-axis until it elapses. If the preset time T has elapsed, the failure of the Y-axis transport mechanism is confirmed, the number of inputs (YK) of the position detection sensor for the Y-axis at that time is stored, and the Y of the XY transport mechanism is stored. Stop energizing the shaft motor.
[0024]
The above operation is similarly performed for the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism. That is, energization of the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is started, and it is determined whether or not there is an input to the X-axis position detection sensor. If there is an input to the X-axis position detection sensor, energization to the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is stopped.
[0025]
On the other hand, if there is no input to the X-axis position detection sensor, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not there is an input to the position detection sensor for the X-axis until it elapses. If the preset time has elapsed, the failure of the X-axis transport mechanism is confirmed, the number of inputs (XK) of the X-axis position detection sensor at that time is stored, and the X-axis of the XY transport mechanism is stored. Stop energizing the motor.
[0026]
When the position of the failure location is determined in this way, an operation of returning the XY transport mechanism to the reference position is performed. That is, energization of the Y-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is started and reversed, and it is determined whether or not the Y-axis motor has returned to the preset Y-axis reference position.
[0027]
If it has not returned to the Y-axis reference position, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not the Y-axis reference position has been returned until it elapses. If the preset time has elapsed, it is determined that the Y-axis transport mechanism has failed.
[0028]
The above operation is performed in the same manner for the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism. That is, energization of the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is started and reversed, and it is determined whether or not the X-axis motor has returned to the preset X-axis reference position.
[0029]
If it has not returned to the X-axis reference position, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not the X-axis reference position has been returned until it elapses. If the preset time T has elapsed, it is determined that the X-axis transport mechanism has failed.
[0030]
When the XY transport mechanism returns to the reference position in this way, 1 is added to the count value (YK, XK) at which an abnormality has occurred during operation of the product storage rack storing the product to be sold, and the count Forcibly set the sold-out data of the column above the value. For example, if the Y-axis transport mechanism is abnormal and the X-axis transport mechanism is normal and the input count of the Y-axis position detection sensor becomes abnormal after detecting 3, the abnormality occurrence count YK = 3 and (YK + 1) = sold-out data for a column of 4 counts or more is set.
[0031]
Finally, the set data is transmitted to the control unit to enter a standby state. Then, the fact that the product is sold out is displayed on the display part of the outer door or the product selection button. Therefore, even when the XY transport mechanism is out of order, a part of the products can be sold, and a situation in which the product purchaser selects a product that cannot be purchased due to the failure can be prevented. In addition, by displaying on the keyboard display unit or the like that a failure has occurred, it is possible to notify a service person or the like and to expect a quick recovery of the failure location.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case, and FIGS. A flowchart showing control of the vending machine, and FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of column information. In the following description, members that are the same as or correspond to those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description is omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0034]
First, the overall configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The open detection switch 40 and the close detection switch 41 are for detecting the open / closed state of the partition plate 6. The H / C switch 42 is for switching the temperature zone of the upper chamber 7 or the lower chamber 8 to hot or cold. The inner door switch 43 is for detecting the open / closed state of the inner door 3.
[0035]
Further, the hot air heated by the heating device 44 circulates in the upper chamber 7 by the internal fan 45, and the temperature of the upper chamber 7 is detected by the internal temperature sensor 46. Below the main body case 1, a condenser 47, a solenoid valve 48, an evaporator 49, an internal fan 50, and the like constituting the refrigeration cycle equipment are provided. The temperature of the evaporator 49 is detected by the evaporator temperature sensor 51, and the temperature of the lower chamber 8 is detected by the internal temperature sensor 52.
[0036]
The main control unit 55 controls the entire vending machine, and is connected to a main body control unit 58 that controls the XY transport mechanism 9 and the partition plate opening / closing mechanism 60 by a communication line 59. The main control unit 55 also includes a display unit 56 that displays the internal temperature, the product price, the presence / absence of change, the sales status, etc., the product selection button 66, and an input device that inputs various information necessary for control by key operations. It is connected.
[0037]
Next, the operation to the sales operation start rack (after step S10) will be described based on FIG. 4 and FIG. Energization of the Y-axis motor 23 is started (step S11), and it is determined whether or not there is an input to the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 (step S12). If there is an input to the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 (Yes at Step S12), the energization to the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped (Step S15).
[0038]
On the other hand, if there is no input to the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 (No at Step S12), it is determined whether or not a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S13). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S13), it is determined whether or not there is an input to the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 until the time has elapsed (No at Step S13, Step S12). . If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at Step S13), the failure of the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is confirmed, and the input number (YK) of the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 at that time is stored (Step S14). ), Energization to the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped (step S15).
[0039]
The above operation is similarly performed for the X-axis motor 13. That is, energization of the X-axis motor 13 is started (step S16), and it is determined whether or not there is an input to the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 (step S17). If there is an input to the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 (Yes at Step S17), the energization to the X-axis motor 13 is stopped (Step S20).
[0040]
On the other hand, if there is no input to the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 (No at Step S17), it is determined whether or not a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S18). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S18), it is determined whether or not there is an input to the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 until the time has elapsed (No at Step S18, Step S17). . If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at Step S18), the failure of the X-axis transport mechanism 9a is confirmed, and the input number (XK) of the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 at that time is stored (Step S19). ), Energization of the X-axis motor 13 is stopped (step S20).
[0041]
When the position of the failure location is determined in this way, an operation of returning the XY transport mechanism 9 to the reference position is performed (step S21). That is, energization of the Y-axis motor 23 is started and reversed (step S22), and it is determined whether or not the Y-axis motor 23 has returned to a preset Y-axis reference position (step S23).
[0042]
If it has not returned to the Y-axis reference position (No at Step S23), it is determined whether or not a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S27). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S27), it is determined whether or not the position has returned to the Y-axis reference position until it has elapsed (Step S23). If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at Step S27), it is determined that the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is out of order (Step S28).
[0043]
The above operation is performed in the same manner for the X-axis motor 13. That is, energization of the X-axis motor 13 is started and reversed (step S29), and it is determined whether or not the X-axis motor 13 has returned to the preset X-axis reference position (step S30).
[0044]
If it has not returned to the X-axis reference position (No at Step S30), it is determined whether or not a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S31). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S31), it is determined whether or not the position has returned to the X-axis reference position until it has elapsed (Step S30). If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at Step S31), it is determined that the X-axis transport mechanism 9a is out of order (Step S32).
[0045]
When the XY transport mechanism 9 returns to the reference position in this way (Yes at Step S23, Yes at Step S30), the count values (YK, XK) in which an abnormality has occurred during the operation to the column 4a in which the products to be sold are stored. ) Is added to 1 and the sold-out data in the column 4a equal to or greater than the count value is forcibly set (step S24). For example, if the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is abnormal, the X-axis transport mechanism 9a is normal, and an abnormality occurs after the input count number of the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 is 3, the abnormality occurrence count YK = 3, and by referring to the address information shown in FIG. 6, sell-out data of columns (# 01 to # 12) of (YK + 1) = 4 counts or more is set.
[0046]
Finally, the set data is transmitted to the main controller 55 via the communication line 59 (step S25), and a standby state is set (step S26). Then, the display unit 56 or the product selection button 66 displays that the product is sold out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the product purchaser selects a product that cannot be purchased due to a failure. In addition, by displaying the fact that there is a failure on a display unit (not shown) of the keyboard, it is possible to notify a service person or the like and to expect quick recovery of the failure location.
[0047]
Note that the address information of each column 4a shown in FIG. 6 can be automatically set as follows. That is, first, after opening / closing the inner door 3 or turning on the power, the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is operated to raise the X-axis rail 11 from the reference position to the upper limit position, while the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 or the Y-axis motor is stopped. The number of steps in the Y-axis direction is detected and stored based on the number of times the slits 27 and 28 are detected by the sensor 24. The upper limit position is detected by the limit sensor 26.
[0048]
Next, in order to detect the number of rows in the X-axis direction, the X-axis transport mechanism 9a is moved left and right. That is, the bucket 10 is moved from the reference position to the left end, and the number of inputs of the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 or the X-axis stop position sensor 16 is detected and stored. This number of inputs is the number of columns from the reference position to the left end. Then, the bucket 10 is moved from that position to the right end. The left and right limit positions are detected by simultaneous input from the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 and the limit sensor 17.
[0049]
Next, the bucket 10 is moved from the right end to the reference position, and the number of inputs (number of columns) of the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 or the X-axis stop position sensor 16 is detected and stored. This number of inputs is the number of columns from the right end to the reference position. Therefore, the total number of columns in the X-axis direction can be obtained by summing up the numbers of left and right columns from these reference positions.
[0050]
Then, the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is operated to lower the X-axis rail 11 to the reference position, and the operation of the XY transport mechanism 9 is finished. The Y-axis counts obtained in this way are registered in order from the largest numerical value, and the X-axis count numbers are registered in sequential order from the smallest numerical value. For example, FIG. 6 shows count numbers when the number of columns 4a is 6, the number of columns on the left side from the reference position in the X-axis direction is 2, and the number of columns on the right side from the reference position in the X-axis direction is 2. However, the number of columns on the right side from the reference position in the X-axis direction is converted to a negative number.
[0051]
As described above, according to the control method of the vending machine according to this embodiment, the XY transport mechanism 9 breaks down, and the positioning operation to some columns 4a (commodity receiving operation from the column 4a) is performed. If it becomes impossible to sell the product, the column 4a is sold out and the product can be sold within the operable range of the XY transport mechanism 9, and the product that cannot be purchased due to a failure is purchased. It is possible to prevent a situation where a person makes a choice. In addition, by displaying the fact that there is a failure on a display unit (not shown) of the keyboard, it is possible to notify a service person or the like and to expect quick recovery of the failure location.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the control method of the vending machine according to the present invention, the product storage rack in which a plurality of columns are arranged in the upper and lower stages and the left and right columns, and the column at the front position of the product storage rack. A bucket for receiving a product paid out from the machine, an XY transport mechanism for movably mounting the bucket up and down, left and right, and a position detection means for detecting position information of the bucket. A control method for a vending machine that operates the XY transport mechanism based on an output from the machine, receives the selected product in the bucket, and transports the selected product to a product take-out port. The position detection means detects the inoperable position of the bucket at the time of failure, and treats the product in the product storage rack at the inoperable position of the bucket as sold out, Since the products in the product storage rack at the operable position of the bucket are sold, some products can be sold even if the XY transport mechanism is out of order and cannot be purchased due to the failure. It is possible to prevent a situation where a product purchaser selects a product that has become. In addition, by displaying on the keyboard display unit or the like that a failure has occurred, it is possible to notify a service person or the like and to expect a quick recovery of the failure location.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control of the vending machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of the vending machine.
FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of column information.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional vending machine.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the inside of the main body case.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an XY transport mechanism.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a detection mechanism of a Y-axis position on the Y rail.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing a detection mechanism of an X-axis position in the X rail.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Body Case 2 Outer Door 3 Inner Door 4 Product Storage Rack
4a Column 6 Partition plate 7 Upper chamber 8 Lower chamber 9 XY transport mechanism 9a X-axis transport mechanism 9b Y-axis transport mechanism 10 Bucket 11 X-axis rail 13 X-axis motor 14 Timing belt 15 X-axis motor stop sensor 16 X-axis stop Position sensor 17 Limit sensor 18, 19 Slit 20 Y-axis rail 23 Y-axis motor 24 Y-axis motor stop sensor 25 Y-axis stop position sensor 26 Limit sensor 27, 28 Slit 29 Slit plate 33 Product outlet 40 Open detection switch 41 Close detection Switch 42 H / C changeover switch 43 Inner door switch 44 Heating device 45, 50 Internal fan 46, 52 Internal temperature sensor 47 Condenser 49 Evaporator 51 Evaporator temperature sensor 55 Main control unit 56 Display unit 58 Main unit control unit 59 Communication line 66 Product selection button

Claims (1)

A product storage rack in which a plurality of columns are arranged in upper and lower rows and left and right rows;
An XY transport mechanism that movably mounts a bucket vertically and horizontally at a front position of the commodity storage rack;
An X-axis motor stop sensor for detecting a slit corresponding to a column row when the bucket moves along the left-right direction, and detecting a position along the left-right direction of the bucket based on the detected count number ;
A Y-axis motor stop sensor for detecting a slit corresponding to a column stage when the bucket moves along the vertical direction, and detecting a position along the vertical direction of the bucket based on the detected count number;
And operating the XY transport mechanism based on the sales command and the outputs from the X-axis motor stop sensor and the Y-axis motor stop sensor, receiving the selected product in the bucket, A vending machine control method for carrying out
The position where the bucket cannot be operated when the XY transport mechanism fails is based on the count result of the X-axis motor stop sensor and the count result of the Y-axis motor stop sensor. column was detected separately, with a handle sold out a column of the product in the inoperable position of the bucket, it is characterized in that so as to sell the column of the product in the operable position of the bucket Vending machine control method.

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