JP6727655B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of executing an accessory effect using a driving accessory along with a variable effect.

In the game machine of Patent Document 1, after the power is turned on, a returning operation of returning the driving accessory to the initial position is performed.

JP, 2010-252987, A (claim 4, [0097])

In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, it is possible to perform a return operation during the game. As an example, the time from the start of the variable effect accompanied by the effect effect to the start of the effect effect, or the time from the end of the effect effect to the end of the variable effect is used. It is conceivable that the recovery operation is performed by doing However, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to perform the returning operation during the game when the time required for the returning operation becomes long due to the complicated structure of the driving accessory or the large size of the driving accessory.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of executing a returning operation during a game even if the time required for the returning operation of the driving accessory becomes long.

The first means is a win/fail judgment means for making a win/fail judgment based on the satisfaction of a start condition, and a change effect execution means for executing a change effect for notifying the result of the win/fail judgment due to the satisfaction of the start condition. And a holding storage means capable of holding information about the variation effect that has not been started yet as the pending storage information as the pending storage information despite the start condition being satisfied, and with the variation effect. The holding storage means is provided with a plurality of accessory effect producing means for executing an accessory effect for driving the driving accessory, and a returning operation executing means for executing a returning operation for returning the driving accessory to the initial position. In the gaming machine in which, when the pending storage information is stored pending, the variation effect related to the pending storage information is executed in a predetermined order, the time required for the returning operation is the variation effect accompanied by the accessory effect. It is longer than the time from the start of the character effect to the start of the character effect and is longer than the time from the end of the character effect to the end of the variable effect, and the return operation is executed. The means may satisfy a first condition that the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is stored in a suspended state, and that the time until the character effect is started is longer than the time required for the returning operation . When the two conditions are satisfied, the game machine executes the return operation until the accessory effect is executed.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to execute the returning operation during the game even if the time required for the returning operation of the driving accessory becomes long.

Front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention (A) Front view of the center effect character placed in the appearance standby position, (B) Front view of the center effect character arranged in the intermediate appearance position, (C) Center effect character arranged in the final appearance position Front view of Front view of back set board Front view of the center director in the appearance standby position Front view of the center director at the intermediate appearance position Front view of the center director at the final appearance position Time chart showing the relationship between variable effect and return action Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine

As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a front frame 10Z on the front surface, and a game area R1 formed on the front surface of the game board 11 through a glass window 10W formed on the front frame 10Z. Is visible.

As shown in FIG. 1, an upper plate 26 and a lower plate 27 are provided in two steps vertically below the glass window 10W in the front frame 10Z, and a firing handle 28 is provided on the right side of the lower plate 27. ing. Then, when the firing handle 28 is rotated, the game ball accommodated in the upper plate 26 is ejected toward the game area R1.

A display opening 11H is formed through the center of the game area R1 of the game board 11, and the display device 13 faces the display opening 11H from the back surface side of the game board 11. The display device 13 is composed of a liquid crystal module (for example, a TFT-LCD module), and its display screen 13G is arranged on the back side of the game board 11.

A display decoration frame 23 is attached to the center of the front surface of the game board 11 so as to surround the display screen 13G. The display decoration frame 23 is fitted into the display opening 11H from the front side of the game board 11, overhangs inside the display opening 11H, and protrudes from the front surface of the game board 11. The game ball flowing down the game area R1 is configured so as not to pass through the front side of the display decoration frame 23 and enter the inside of the display decoration frame 23.

In the center of the game region R1 below the display decoration frame 23 in the left-right direction, a start winning opening 14, a special winning opening 15, and an out opening 16 are provided side by side with an interval from the top. A side winning opening 21 is provided on the right side of the special winning opening 15, and general winning openings 20, 20 are provided along the guide rail 12 on the left side of the starting winning opening 14. On the left side of the display decoration frame 23, a starting gate 18 and a windmill 19 are provided in order from the top. Although not shown, a large number of obstacle nails are planted in the game area R1.

Next, each part of the game area R1 will be described in more detail.
The general winning opening 20 and the side winning opening 21 have a so-called pocket structure in which an opening into which one game ball can be inserted is provided on the upper surface of a member protruding from the front surface of the game board 11. When the game balls enter the general winning opening 20 and the side winning openings 21 (win), a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out to the upper plate 26.

The starting gate 18 has a gate-shaped structure through which game balls can pass. When the game ball passes through the starting gate 18, the normal symbol hit/miss judgment is performed. The result of the normal symbol hit determination is displayed on a normal symbol display device (not shown).

The starting winning opening 14 has the same pocket structure as the general winning opening 20. Movable wing pieces 14C, 14C are provided on both left and right sides of the opening of the starting winning opening 14. Movable wing pieces 14C, 14C are always in a standing state, and when the normal pattern hit/absence judgment is successful, the movable wing pieces 14C, 14C are laid down sideways for a predetermined period. Then, the game ball flowing down on both sides of the starting winning opening 14 is received by the movable wing piece 14C and is guided to the starting winning opening 14. When a game ball enters the starting winning opening 14, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper plate 26, and a special symbol winning/judging determination is performed. The result of the special symbol hit determination is displayed on a special symbol display device (not shown) and also displayed on the display screen 13G of the display device 13.

Specifically, when a game ball enters the starting winning opening 14, on the display screen 13G, a fluctuating effect for notifying the result of the special symbol hit/miss determination is performed. On the display screen 13G, as shown in FIG. 1, usually, three left, middle, and right special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C are displayed side by side in a stopped manner. Each of these special symbols 13A, 13B, 13C, for example, is composed of a plurality of types of numbers and letters are written, and usually each of the special symbols 13A, 13B, 13C, a predetermined type is stopped and displayed. Has been done. Then, when the game ball enters the starting winning opening 14, these three special symbols 13A to 13C are variably displayed (for example, scroll display in the vertical direction), and after a predetermined time elapses, for example, left, right, Each special symbol 13A, 13B, 13C is stopped and displayed in the order of the inside. When the result of the special symbol hit determination is a win, all three special symbols 13A to 13C are stopped and displayed with the same symbol (doublet), and then the gaming state shifts to the "big hit gaming state". On the other hand, in the case where the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment is out, a stop display is made in a combination other than the doublet, and the normal game state continues.

The variation effect is executed immediately after the game ball enters the starting winning opening 14 when there is no variation effect being executed in the normal game state. On the other hand, when there is a fluctuating effect being executed, or when the gaming state is the big hit gaming state, even if a game ball enters the starting winning opening 14, the fluctuating effect based on the entering ball is not immediately executed, The execution of the variation effect is suspended until the variation effect being executed ends or the jackpot gaming state ends. At this time, information about the variable effect to be held (specifically, the effect contents and the result of the special symbol hit/miss determination) is stored as the hold storage information. The pending storage information can be stored up to a predetermined upper limit number (for example, four). When the pending storage information is stored, the pending display 13H corresponding to the pending storage information is displayed on the display screen 13G.

The special winning opening 15 has a horizontally long rectangular shape and opens forward. The special winning opening 15 is closed by a movable door 15T in a normal game state. When the gaming state becomes the big hit gaming state, the movable door 15T is tilted forward for a predetermined period. Then, the special winning opening 15 is opened forward, and a lot of game balls can enter the big winning opening 15 by guiding the movable door 15T. When the game balls enter the special winning opening 15, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper plate 26.

The game balls that have not entered any of the above-described winning openings 14, 15, 20, 21 are all taken into the outlet 16 arranged at the lower end of the game area R1.

By the way, the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the center effect character product 30 that reciprocates in the inner region of the display decoration frame 23, and drives the center effect character product 30 to execute the character effect. The center effect accessory 30 is provided in the lower left corner of the display decoration frame 23, and is normally hidden at the "appearance standby position" behind the left side of the display decoration frame 23 as shown in FIG. 2(A). It is located in.

When the specific effect start condition is satisfied, the center effect accessory 30 moves from the "appearance standby position" to the right side in parallel with the game board 11 and is arranged at the "intermediate appearance position" shown in FIG. 2(B). .. At the intermediate appearance position, the center effect accessory 30 overlaps with the lower left portion of the display screen 13G. The center effect accessory 30 further rotates from the “intermediate appearance position” around a horizontal mounting rotation axis J2 (specifically, the hinge pin 31P shown in FIG. 3) orthogonal to the game board 11. That is, the center effect character 30 rotates clockwise about the mounting rotation axis J2, and the entire center effect character 30 is tilted toward the center of the display screen 13G at the "final appearance position" (see FIG. C)).

As shown in FIG. 3, the center effect accessory 30 is attached to a back set board 40 fixed to the back surface of the game board 11 in an overlapping manner. The back set board 40 has a main wall 41 facing the game board 11 from the back side, and an enclosure wall 42 standing upright from the outer edge of the main wall 41, and has a flat box-shaped structure in the front-rear direction. A rectangular rear display opening 44 is formed in the main wall 41. The display device 13 is fitted into the back display opening 44 from the rear of the back setting board 40. Then, the front surface of the main wall 41 and the display screen 13G are arranged substantially flush with each other. Further, a plurality of collar walls 43, 43 projecting laterally from the front end edge thereof are integrally formed at the four corners of the surrounding wall 42. The collar walls 43, 43 are fixed to the game board 11.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the center effect accessory 30 is mounted on the linear motion base 31. The linear motion base 31 is connected to the linear motion guide portion 33 fixed to the main wall 41 of the back setting board 40. The linear motion base 31 (and the center effect accessory 30) is configured to be horizontally movable along the linear motion guide portion 33 by receiving power from the linear motion drive source 61 (FIG. 8), and is shown in FIG. It is arranged at the "linear motion start position" and the "linear motion end position" shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in the linear motion base 31, the lower end portions of a pair of facing walls 31A and 31A facing each other in the front-rear direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 6) are connected by a connecting wall 31B. It has a gate structure, and the center effect member 30 is sandwiched in the front-rear direction by a pair of opposing walls 31A, 31A.

The above-mentioned hinge pin 31P as the mounting rotation axis J2 is provided between the pair of opposing walls 31A and 31A. Then, the center effect accessory 30 and the linear motion base 31 are connected by the hinge pin 31P, and the center effect accessory 30 is shown with respect to the linear motion base 31 in the "tilting origin posture" shown in FIG. It is possible to rotate between the "tilting end position". The hinge pin 31P penetrates the right side portion of the center effect accessory 30.

Specifically, on the left side of the main wall 41 of the back set board 40, a rotation drive source 62 (for example, a motor) and a plane parallel to the game board 11 by receiving power from the rotation drive source 62 are provided. And a rotating arm 63 that rotates. The tip of the rotating arm 63 is connected to the left side portion of the center effect accessory 30. When the rotating arm 63 rotates, the center effect accessory 30 rotates about the mounting rotation axis J2 (hinge pin 31P).

Here, the "stand-by standby position", "intermediate appearance position", and "final appearance position" of the center effect character product 30 described above are defined as the linear motion position of the linear motion base 31 and the center effect character product 30 relative to the linear motion base 31. In other words, the attitude is as follows. That is, in the "appearance standby position", the linear motion base 31 is in the "linear motion start end position" and the center effect product 30 is in the "tilting origin posture". Further, at the "intermediate appearance position", the linear motion base 31 is in the "linear motion end position" and the center effect accessory 30 is in the "tilting origin position". Then, at the "final appearance position", the linear motion base 31 is in the "linear motion end position" and the center effect accessory 30 is in the "tilting end position".

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the center effect accessory 30 includes a movable pedestal 30A and a rotating polyhedron 30B. The movable pedestal 30A is connected to the back set board 40 via the linear motion guide portion 33 and the linear motion base 31, and linearly moves and rotates on the front surface side of the display screen 13G as described above. On the other hand, the rotary polyhedron 30B is rotatably supported by the movable pedestal 30A, and rotates about the rotation axis J1 perpendicular to the movable pedestal 30A. Specifically, a stepping motor 64 (FIG. 8) is provided inside the movable pedestal 30A, and the rotary polyhedron 30B is rotated by receiving power from the stepping motor 64. The rotation of the rotating polyhedron 30B is performed due to the establishment of a specific effect start condition.

In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the power for the return operation for returning the center effect character 30 to the appearance standby position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is for the purpose of normally performing the character effect by the center effect character 30. It is done at the time of input. Further, in the gaming machine 10, it is preferable that the returning operation of the center effect accessory 30 is executed during the game.

Here, as means for executing the return operation during the game, the character effect preparation preparation time T2 from the start of the variable effect accompanied by the character effect to the start of the character effect, and the effect effect are finished. It is conceivable that the return operation of the center effect accessory 30 is executed by using the time T3 after the effect effect end from the end to the end of the variable effect accompanied by the effect effect. However, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the return operation time T1 required for the return operation of the center effect accessory 30 is longer than the accessory effect preparation time T2. In addition, the return operation time T1 is longer than the time T3 after the end of the character effect from the end of the character effect to the end of the variable effect. Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, it is impossible to secure the time for executing the return operation during the execution of the variable effect accompanied by the accessory effect.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the execution of the variation effect accompanied by the accessory effect is suspended, it is executed before the variation effect associated with the accessory effect. The return operation is performed using the execution time of the fluctuating effect. In the example shown in FIG. 7, in the state where there are four pieces of pending storage information, the variation effect executed fourth is the variation effect accompanied by the accessory effect. Letting h(i) be the execution time of the i-th variation effect (i.e., the effect of the i-th variation on hold), the total time of h(1), h(2) and h(3) is the return operation time T1. It's getting longer. Then, the return operation of the center effect accessory 30 is performed from the start of the effect of the first pending change to the end of the effect of the third pending change.

Next, an electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10 for executing the above-described return operation of the center effect accessory 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 50 in the figure is a main control circuit 50, which includes a microcomputer including a CPU 50A, a RAM 50B, a ROM 50C, and a plurality of counters, an input/output circuit connecting the microcomputer and the sub-control circuit 52, and a start winning opening 14 , A relay circuit to which the special winning opening 15 and the like are connected, and an input/output circuit that connects the payout control circuit and the like, and performs main control relating to the game. The CPU 50A includes a win/loss determination unit, a control unit, an arithmetic unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, and the like, and performs arithmetic control, and also generates a random number or the like related to a special symbol right/wrong determination or a normal symbol right/wrong determination, and a control signal. The sub-control circuit 52 and the like can be output (transmitted). The RAM 50B includes a storage area for various random number values generated by the CPU 50A, a storage area and a flag for temporarily storing various data, and a work area of the CPU 50A. In the ROM 50C, the control data, the symbol variation data relating to the variable display of the special symbol and the normal symbol, and the like are written, and the determination values of the special symbol winning/disabling determination and the normal symbol winning/discarding determination are also written. The reserved storage information is temporarily stored in the RAM 50B.

Similar to the main control circuit 50, the sub control circuit 52 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 52A, a RAM 52B, a ROM 52C, and a plurality of counters, an input/output circuit connecting the microcomputer and the main control circuit 50, a display control circuit 54, and the like. It has an input/output circuit that connects The CPU 52A includes a control unit, an arithmetic unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, and the like, and is configured to perform arithmetic control and output (transmit) a control signal to the display control circuit 54 or the like. The RAM 52B has a storage area for various data and a work area for the CPU 52A. Data of various effects and the like are stored in the ROM 52C.

The display control circuit 54 is provided in the display device 13 and has a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The CPU of the display control circuit 54 acquires image data from the ROM of the display control circuit 54 based on the control signal from the sub control circuit 52, and displays an image on the display screen 13G based on the image data. The image data relating to the variation effect and the image data relating to the hold display 13H are stored in the ROM of the display control circuit 54.

Here, a direct drive source 61, a rotary drive source 62, and a stepping motor 64 are connected to the input/output circuit of the sub control circuit 52, and the sub control circuit 52 controls the effect by the center effect accessory 30. .. Further, the sub control circuit 52 receives the hold storage information from the main control circuit 50, and whether or not there is a variation effect in which the character effect by the center effect accessory 30 is executed, among the held variation effects. To judge. When the variable effect in which the character effect is executed is suspended, the sub-control circuit 52 determines whether or not the time until the character effect is started is longer than the time required for the returning operation of the center effect character 30. To judge. When the time until the character effect is started is longer than the time required for the returning operation, the sub control circuit 52 outputs a control signal to the linear drive source 61, the rotary drive source 62, and the stepping motor 64. Execute the return operation.

According to the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved.

That is, in the gaming machine 10, where the return operation time T1 cannot be ensured during execution of the variable effect accompanied by the character effect, the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is held and stored, and the character effect is started. When the time until it is longer than the return operation time T1, the return operation is executed until the accessory effect is executed. As described above, according to the gaming machine 10, it is possible to execute the returning operation of the center effect accessory 30 during the game even when the returning operation time T1 is long.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and for example, the embodiments described below are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, various other than the following without departing from the scope of the invention. It can be changed and implemented.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the case where the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is stored on hold, the example in which the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is executed fourth is shown. It may be executed or may be executed second.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the returning operation is performed over the three fluctuation effects of the first to third fluctuations on hold, but the returning operation may be completed during any one of the fluctuation effects. The return operation may be completed while two consecutive variable effects are being executed.

(3) The return operation during the game is a return operation time T1 from the return operation time T1 when the return operation can be executed (that is, the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is stored on hold). Long time) may be satisfied each time it is satisfied, or may be performed each time the executable condition is satisfied a predetermined number of times. Further, when the executability condition of the return operation is satisfied, it may be performed only when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous execution of the return operation.

(4) Even when the variable effect accompanied by the accessory effect is stored on hold and the variable effect is executed first, the time until the currently-executed variable effect ends and the return operation preparation time When the total of T2 is longer than the return operation time T1, the return operation may be executed.

<Regarding invention groups extracted from the above-described embodiment and other embodiments>
The features of the invention group extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described below, showing effects and the like as necessary. Note that, in the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiment are appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown in brackets or the like.

The following characteristic group A relates to a gaming machine in which it is possible to execute a character effect using a driving character in accordance with a variable effect, and is described in "Patent Document A" (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-252987 (claim 4, [0097] ]))), the game machine of "Patent Document A, the returning operation of returning the driving accessory to the initial position is performed after the power is turned on." As an example, the time from the start of the variable effect accompanied by the character effect to the start of the character effect, or the time from the end of the character effect to the end of the variable effect. It is possible to use the time to perform the return operation.However, if the time required for the return operation becomes long due to the structure of the drive accessory becoming complicated or the drive accessory becoming large, the return operation is performed during the game. There was a problem that it became difficult to perform the operation."

<Feature A group>
[Characteristic A1]
Winning judgment means (main control circuit 50) which carries out winning judgment (special symbol winning judgment) based on the establishment of the starting condition (entering into the starting winning opening 14),
Variation effect executing means (sub-control circuit 52) for executing variation effect for notifying the result of the win/fail judgment due to the satisfaction of the starting condition,
Suspension storage means (main control circuit 50) capable of suspending storage of information about the variation effect that has not been started even though the starting condition has been satisfied as suspension storage information up to a preset upper limit number,
Character effect execution means (sub-control circuit 52) capable of executing an effect effect for driving the driving effect object (center effect effect object 30) in accordance with the variation effect.
Return operation executing means (sub-control circuit 52) for executing a return operation for returning the driving accessory to the initial position (the standby position shown in FIG. 2(A), 4),
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10), when a plurality of the pending storage information is pending stored by the pending storage means, a variation effect related to the pending storage information is executed in a predetermined order,
The time required for the return operation (return operation time T1) is longer than the time from the start of the variable effect accompanied by the accessory effect to the start of the accessory effect (return operation preparation time T2), and , Is longer than the time from the end of the accessory effect to the end of the variable effect (time T3 after completion of the returning operation),
In the case where the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is stored on hold and the time until the character effect is started is longer than the time required for the return operation, A gaming machine that executes the return operation until the character effect is executed.

With the configuration shown in this feature, the time required for the return operation is longer than the time from the start of the variation effect accompanied by the character effect to the start of the character effect, and the character effect ends. It is longer than the time from the start to the end of the variation effect. Therefore, it is not possible to secure the time for executing the return operation during the execution of the variable effect accompanied by the accessory effect. However, in the configuration shown in this feature, when the variation effect accompanied by the character effect is stored on hold and the time until the character effect is started is longer than the time required for the returning operation, the character effect The return operation is executed until the effect is executed. Thereby, even if the time required for the returning operation is long, it is possible to execute the returning operation during the game.

[Feature A2]
In the game machine according to feature A1,
The return operation executing means stores a plurality of variable effects including a variable effect associated with the accessory effect effect, and when the variable effect effect associated with the accessory effect effect is executed second or later, the effect effect effector is executed. A gaming machine that executes the return operation by using the execution time of the variable effect executed before the variable effect accompanied by the effect.

In the feature A1, as for the return operation, as shown in this feature, a plurality of variable effects including a variable effect accompanied by a character effect are stored on hold, and the variable effect associated with the character effect is second or later. When it is executed, it may be executed by using the execution time of the variable effect executed before the variable effect accompanied by the accessory effect. In addition, when the variable effect being executed is an effect having a long execution time such as a super reach effect, the return operation may be executed using the time of the variable effect being executed.

[Feature A3]
In the game machine according to feature A1 or A2,
The return operation executing means, even when the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is stored in a suspended state, when the variable effect executed before the variable effect involves the character effect, A gaming machine that does not perform a return operation.

According to the configuration described in this feature, the time until the variation effect accompanied by the character effect is started is not devoted to the execution of another character effect, so that the execution time of the return operation is easily secured.

10 Gaming Machine 14 Starting Winning Hole 30 Center Performance Material 50 Main Control Circuit 52 Sub Control Circuit 61 Direct Drive Source 62 Rotation Drive Source 64 Stepping Motor

Claims (2)

A win/fail judgment means for making a win/fail judgment based on the establishment of the start condition,
A variation effect executing means for executing a variation effect for notifying the result of the hit determination due to the fact that the starting condition is satisfied,
Suspending storage means capable of suspending storage as information for suspending storage up to a preset upper limit number of information about the fluctuation effect that has not been started even though the starting condition is satisfied
An accessory production execution means capable of executing an accessory production for driving a driving accessory according to the variation production,
Return operation executing means for executing a return operation for returning the driving accessory to the initial position,
In a gaming machine, when a plurality of the pending storage information is reserved and stored by the pending storage means, a variation effect related to the pending storage information is executed in a predetermined order,
The time required for the returning operation is longer than the time from the start of the variation effect accompanied by the accessory effect to the start of the accessory effect, and the variation effect after the effect effect is finished. Is longer than the time until
The return operation executing means satisfies the first condition that the variable effect accompanied by the character effect is stored on hold , and the time until the character effect is started is longer than the time required for the return operation. A gaming machine that executes the returning operation until the accessory effect is executed, when the second condition that " is too long " is satisfied . In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
In addition to the first and second conditions, the return operation executing means executes the return operation when a third condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous execution of the return operation is satisfied .

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