KR20130141795A - Touch screen display and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch screen display and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A touch screen display according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a substrate; a conductive black matrix which is provided on the upper part of the substrate to define a plurality of pixel areas and includes first pattern parts connected to one another in a first direction and second pattern parts intersecting the first pattern parts to be separated from one another and arranged in a second direction; a plurality of color forming parts which is arranged in the pixel areas defined by the conductive black matrix; and bridge electrode parts which are arranged on the upper part of the color forming parts to electrically connect the second pattern parts.

Description

Touch screen display and manufacturing method {TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a display and a manufacturing method, and more particularly, to a touch screen display and a manufacturing method in which the touch screen and the display are integrated.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] A touch panel (a touch panel or a touch screen) is an input device mounted on a surface of a display to convert a physical contact of a user's finger or the like into an electrical signal to operate the product. It can be widely applied to various display devices, Are widely used in flat panel display devices, various mobile devices, smart phones, and tablet PCs in accordance with the trend of pursuing an intuitive interface.

However, when a conventional touch panel is coupled to a display, a display panel and a touch panel are separately designed and coupled to each other.

Accordingly, there are many attempts to implement a structure in which a touch pattern and a display panel are integrated.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a touch screen display in which a touch screen is integrated with a display panel.

According to an aspect of the present invention, A plurality of pixel regions formed on the substrate to designate a plurality of pixel regions, the first pattern portions being connected to each other in a first direction, and the second pattern portions being separated from each other in a second direction by crossing the first pattern portions; A conductive black matrix; A plurality of color forming parts disposed in the plurality of pixel areas designated by the conductive black matrix; And a bridge electrode part disposed on the color forming part to electrically connect the second pattern part.

In this case, the color forming unit may be a color filter or an organic light emitting material.

Meanwhile, the substrate includes an active region and an inactive region, wherein the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion of the conductive black matrix are formed in the active region of the substrate, and the conductive black matrix is formed with the first pattern portion. A first wiring part connected to and formed in an inactive region of the substrate; And a second wiring part connected to the second pattern part and formed in an inactive region of the substrate.

In addition, the overcoat layer may be further disposed on the color forming unit, and the plurality of via holes may be formed at the point where the bridge electrode part and the second pattern part are connected to the overcoat layer.

The display device may further include a plurality of transparent electrodes spaced apart from the bridge electrode part at a predetermined interval and disposed on the color forming part.

The metal layer may further include a metal layer deposited on the conductive black matrix. The metal layer may include silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and molybdenum (Mo). It may be made of either one or an alloy thereof.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first step of forming a conductive black matrix on the substrate; Patterning the conductive black matrix to specify a plurality of pixel regions, and forming a first pattern portion connected to each other in a first direction and a second pattern portion disposed to be separated from each other in a second direction by crossing the first pattern portion; Second step; A third step of forming a color forming unit in the designated plurality of pixel areas; And a fourth step of arranging a bridge electrode part on the color forming part to electrically connect the second pattern part.

The method may further include forming a metal layer on the conductive black matrix between the first and second steps, wherein the second step may simultaneously pattern the conductive black matrix and the metal layer to form the first pattern part. And a second pattern portion.

The method may further include forming an overcoating layer on the color forming unit between the third and fourth steps; And forming a plurality of via holes in the overcoating layer.

In addition, the fourth step, step 4-1 to form a transparent conductive film on the color forming portion; And forming a bridge electrode part electrically connecting the second pattern part by patterning the transparent conductive film and forming a transparent electrode spaced apart from the bridge electrode part by a predetermined interval.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the black matrix, which is a part of the display panel, is formed to be conductive and used as a sensing electrode (pattern electrode) of the touch screen, and the color forming unit is used as an insulating layer to realize the touch screen integrally with the display panel. Do.

1 is a front view schematically showing a touch screen display according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2B is an enlarged view illustrating a connection state of the conductive black matrix and the bridge electrode part in A shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates only the substrate and the conductive black matrix in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the conductive black matrix and the bridge electrode part in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an overcoat layer and a transparent electrode in FIG. 2.
6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an application example of a touch screen display according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 to 11 are flowcharts illustrating a manufacturing procedure of a touch screen display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present specification, the expression "upper", "on" or "on" is used to refer to the concept of relative position with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the above expressions may directly exist with other components or layers in the layer mentioned. In addition to this, other layers or components may be interposed or present therebetween, and also completely above the surface of the mentioned layer (in particular, having a three-dimensional shape), which is present at the top in relation to the mentioned layer. Note that it may also include uncovered cases. Likewise, the expression "lower," " under, "or" under "may also be understood as a relative concept of the position between a particular layer (component)

The touch screen display according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be applied to a liquid crystal display or an organic light emitting display, but is not limited thereto. A display in which a black matrix is used is used. Anything can be applied.

However, for convenience of description, the following description will focus on the case where the touch screen display is a liquid crystal display.

1 is a front view schematically showing a touch screen display 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a view at A shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a connection state of the conductive black matrix and the bridge electrode unit.

1, 2A and 2B, the touch screen display 1000 includes a substrate 100, a conductive black matrix 200, a color forming unit 300, and a bridge electrode unit 400.

The substrate 100 is a substrate having transparency, and may have various mechanical strengths and flexibility. The kind of the substrate 100 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polyether sulfone (PES). ), Cyclic olefin polymer (COC), Triacetylcellulose (TAC) film, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film, Polyimide (PI) film, Polystyrene (PS), Biaxially oriented polystyrene (PS) BOPS), glass or tempered glass.

The conductive black matrix 200 may be formed on the substrate 100 to designate a plurality of pixel regions, and may also function as a sensing electrode of the touch screen. In general, a black matrix (BM) is formed between pixels of a color filter to block light from each of R, G, and B pixels from interfering with each other, and absorb light from outside. do. In the touch screen display 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the black matrix is formed of a conductive material to function as a sensing electrode of the touch screen.

The conductive black matrix 200 may be formed of a conductive material, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), al-doped zinc oxide (AZO), or Ga-doped zinc oxide (GZO). , Materials such as propylenedioxythiophene, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), carbon nanotubes, graphene, or silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu) A metal material made of one of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo) or an alloy thereof may be used, but is not limited thereto.

The conductive black matrix 200 includes a first pattern portion 210 and a second pattern portion 220 disposed so as not to overlap each other. The first pattern unit 210 and the second pattern unit 220 function as sensing electrodes (or pattern electrodes) in the touch screen, and may be classified according to the arrangement direction. The first pattern portion 210 is disposed with a plurality of pattern electrodes connected to each other in a first direction, and the second pattern portion 220 crosses the first pattern portion 210 and has a plurality of pattern electrodes in a second direction. It may be arranged separately from each other. In this case, the first direction and the second direction do not mean a specific direction. For example, the first direction may be an X-axis direction, and the second direction may be a Y-axis direction. Accordingly, the pattern electrodes constituting the first pattern unit 210 may function as an X-axis sensing line of the touch screen, and the pattern electrodes constituting the second pattern unit 220 may be a bridge electrode unit 500 to be described later. It can function as a Y-axis sensing line of the touch screen. In the present specification, the first pattern part 210 is disposed on the X axis, and the second pattern part 220 will be described based on the case where the Y axis is disposed.

The first pattern portion 210 and the second pattern portion 220 may be formed by partially patterning the conductive black matrix 200. In addition, a plurality of first pattern parts 210 and second pattern parts 220 may be arranged. For example, although the first pattern part 210 and the second pattern part 220 are arranged in three columns and three rows, respectively, in FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited thereto. The conductive black matrix 200 will be described later with reference to other drawings.

The color forming unit 300 is disposed in the plurality of pixel areas designated by the conductive black matrix 200. The color forming unit 300 may be a color filter or an organic light emitting material. For example, when the touch screen display 1000 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), the color forming unit 300 may be a color filter, and when the touch screen display 1000 is an organic light emitting display (OLED), color formation may be performed. The unit 300 may be an organic light emitting material. Hereinafter, the case where the color forming unit 300 is a color filter will be described.

Generally, a color filter is a resinous material containing dyes and pigments of three basic colors (R, G, B), and serves to make light passing through the liquid crystal to have a color. In the touch screen display 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the color forming unit 300 functions as an insulating layer on the touch screen together with a function unique to the color forming unit (color filter function or light emitting function). It features one. On the other hand, the color forming unit 300 may use a color filter or an organic light emitting material generally used in the display field (in which the organic light emitting material generally uses a guest material in a host material). R, G, B color light emitting layer formed by injection).

The bridge electrode part 500 is disposed on the color forming part 300 and serves to electrically connect the second pattern part 220 of the conductive black matrix 200. As described above, the conductive black matrix 200 includes a first pattern portion 210 and a second pattern portion 220, wherein the first pattern portion 210 is connected to each other and is arranged in a second manner. The pattern portion 220 is disposed separately from each other. This is because a short circuit between electrodes occurs when both the first pattern portion 210 and the second pattern portion 220 are connected to each other. Accordingly, the second pattern portion 220 may be electrically connected to the second pattern portion 220 by using the bridge electrode portion 500 so that the second pattern portion 220 functions as a sensing electrode of the touch screen.

The bridge electrode part 500 may be formed of a conductive material, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), al-doped zinc oxide (AZO), or Ga-doped zinc oxide (GZO). , Materials such as propylenedioxythiophene, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), carbon nanotubes, graphene, or silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu) A metal material made of one of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo) or an alloy thereof may be used, but is not limited thereto.

The bridge electrode part 500 is disposed on the color forming part 300, and is disposed on the connection portion of each pattern electrode constituting the second pattern part 220. The bridge electrode part 500 is disposed to connect the pattern electrodes constituting the second pattern part 220 through the gaps present in the color forming part 300, thereby electrically connecting the pattern electrodes. For example, the bridge electrode part 500 may include a protrusion 501 formed so that both ends protrude to a predetermined length in a downward direction. At this time, the protrusion 501 is inserted through a gap (gap) existing in the color forming unit 300, and is connected to two pattern electrodes of the pattern electrodes constituting the second pattern unit 220. Pattern electrodes may be electrically connected to each other. The bridge electrode part 500 may be arranged in plurality in correspondence with the number of pattern electrodes constituting the second pattern part 220 (see FIG. 2B).

Hereinafter, the touch screen display 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be supplemented.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating only the substrate 100 and the conductive black matrix 200 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the substrate 100 may be divided into an active region 100A and an inactive region 100B. In the present specification, the active area 100A refers to an area of the touch screen that detects a contact position using a user's body contact or a separate touch tool (for example, a stylus pen). In addition, the non-active area 100B refers to an area excluding the active area 100A, and mainly means an area for transmitting a connection signal detected by the active area 100A to a controller IC (integrated circuit).

The first pattern portion 210 and the second pattern portion 220 of the conductive black matrix 200 are formed in the active region 100A of the substrate 100. In addition, the conductive black matrix 200 may further include a first wiring part 230 connected to the first pattern part 210 and a second wiring part 240 connected to the second pattern part 220. The first wiring part 230 and the second wiring part 240 are formed in the inactive region 100B of the substrate 100. In this case, the first wiring part 230 and the second wiring part 240 may be formed by partially patterning the conductive black matrix 200. The first wiring part 230 and the second wiring part 240 are the first pattern part 210 or the second pattern part 220 when the user makes physical contact with the outside or by using a separate touch tool. It transmits the electrical signal generated in the controller IC (not shown).

The touch screen display 1000 may further include a metal layer (not shown) deposited on the conductive black matrix 200. The metal layer may be patterned in the same shape as the patterning shape of the conductive black matrix 200. That is, the conductive black matrix 200 described above may exist in a state in which a metal layer is deposited thereon.

As such, when the metal layer is formed of the conductive black matrix 200 and the double layer, the conductive property is improved, and thus the sensing sensitivity of the conductive black matrix 200 serving as the sensing electrode of the touch screen may be further improved. The metal layer may be formed of any one or alloys of silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and molybdenum (Mo), but is not limited thereto. It is not.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the conductive black matrix 200 and the bridge electrode part 500 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the color forming unit 300 is not shown for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 4, the shape of the pattern electrodes constituting the first pattern portion 210 or the second pattern portion 220 of the conductive black matrix 200 is not limited to a specific shape. For example, the pattern electrodes may be formed in a polygon such as rhombus, square, rectangle, or the like, or may be formed in a circle or an unshaped shape. In FIG. 4, the pattern electrodes constituting the first pattern part 210 or the second pattern part 220 have a rhombus shape as a whole, but are patterned with leaves except for a space in which the color forming part 300 is disposed. Note that the case formed as shown.

In addition, as described above, since the pattern electrodes constituting the first pattern portion 210 are all formed integrally connected, the pattern electrodes arranged in one row function as one sensing electrode, Since the pattern electrodes constituting the pattern unit 220 are formed to be separated, the pattern electrodes arranged in one column through the bridge electrode unit 500 connecting the pattern electrodes serve as one sensing electrode.

Referring to FIG. 5, in FIG. 2, an overcoat layer 400 and a transparent electrode 600 are added.

Referring to FIG. 5, the touch screen display 1000 may further include an overcoating layer 400 disposed on the color forming unit 300.

The overcoating layer 400 is formed to planarize the surface of the color forming unit 300. In FIG. 5, the top surfaces of the color forming unit 300 are shown to be flat, but the upper portion of the actual color forming unit 300 is bent. Can be formed. Therefore, the overcoat layer 400 may be disposed on the color forming unit 300 to planarize the upper surface of the color forming unit 300. The overcoat layer 400 may be formed using an overcoat layer material generally used in the display field.

On the other hand, when the overcoating layer 400 is disposed on the color forming unit 300 as described above, since the upper surface of the color forming unit 300 has the effect of filling up all the gaps that existed in the color forming unit 300 The gap may disappear. In this case, a plurality of via holes 410 may be formed in the overcoating layer 400 to arrange the bridge electrode part 500 to electrically connect the second pattern part 220. The via hole 410 may be formed at the point where the bridge electrode part 500 and the second pattern part 220 are connected.

The touch screen display 1000 may further include a plurality of transparent electrodes 600 which are spaced apart from the bridge electrode part 500 at a predetermined interval and disposed on the color forming part 300. The transparent electrode 600 is formed of a conductive material, and may be formed between the bridge electrode parts 500 to supply a predetermined reference voltage from the outside. In this case, the reference voltage may be a ground voltage.

The transparent electrode 600 improves the overall sensing sensitivity of the first and second pattern parts 210 and 220 by reducing noise and coupling phenomenon that may occur between the first pattern part 210 and the second pattern part 220. It can play a role. In addition, the transparent electrode 600 may be formed to have the same thickness as the bridge electrode part 500 and may be used to achieve overall surface planarization.

6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an application example of the touch screen display 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the touch screen display 1000 may further include a liquid crystal layer 700 and a thin film transistor array substrate 800.

The liquid crystal layer 700 may be disposed on the bridge electrode part 500, and the thin film transistor array substrate 800 may be disposed on the liquid crystal layer 700. In this case, a separate overcoating layer (not shown) may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the liquid crystal layer 700.

The liquid crystal layer 700 may be driven by the pixel driving of the thin film transistor array substrate 800 to control light transmittance passing through the thin film transistor array substrate 800.

The thin film transistor array substrate 800 includes a plurality of pixels (not shown) for driving the liquid crystal layer 700. Each pixel switches the thin film transistors according to a gate signal applied to the gate line, thereby providing a data line. The liquid crystal layer 700 may be driven by forming an electric field according to the data voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 700.

Since the liquid crystal layer 700 and the thin film transistor array substrate 800 are the same as or similar to components generally used in the display field, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the embodiments of the present invention, a black matrix, which is a part of the display panel, is formed to be conductive and used as the sensing electrode (pattern electrode) of the touch screen, and the color forming unit is used as the insulating layer to display the touch screen. Since it can be implemented integrally with, it is possible to manufacture a thinner touch screen display.

Hereinafter, a touch screen display manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

7 to 11 are flowcharts illustrating a manufacturing procedure of a touch screen display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of the shape, material, etc. of each component has been described above, and will be described below with reference to the manufacturing process.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, the conductive black matrix 200 is formed on the substrate 100. A well-known vapor deposition method can be used as a formation method. The deposition method includes a dry patterning process such as sputtering and vapor deposition (thermal deposition or electron beam deposition). In this case, an additional metal layer (not shown) may be sequentially deposited on the conductive black matrix 200 (the first step).

Next, referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of pixel regions are designated by patterning the conductive black matrix 200, but intersect with the first pattern portion 210 and the first pattern portion 210 connected to each other in a first direction. To form a second pattern portion 220 that is separated from each other in a second direction. The patterning means a patterning process such as a photo process (photoresist coating and exposure process), a screen printing method, a gravure printing method, an inkjet printing method, and the like, and is not limited to a specific process. On the other hand, when a metal layer (not shown) is formed on the conductive black matrix 200, the conductive black matrix 200 and the metal layer are simultaneously patterned to form the first pattern portion 210 and the second pattern portion 220. It can be formed (second step above).

Next, the conductive black matrix 200 is patterned to form the color forming unit 300 in each of the plurality of designated pixel regions. The color forming unit 300 may include R, G, and B color forming units, and may be formed in a pigment method or a dye method depending on the material (the third step).

Next, referring to FIG. 9, an overcoat layer 400 may be formed on the color forming unit 300, and a plurality of via holes 410 may be formed in the overcoat layer 400. The overcoat layer 400 may be formed by sputtering, vapor deposition (thermal deposition or electron beam deposition), or the like, and the via hole 410 may be formed by etching or the like. In this case, the via hole 410 may be formed at a position corresponding to end portions of the pattern electrodes constituting the second pattern portion 220. Meanwhile, the above-described process of forming the overcoat layer 400 and the via hole 410 may be omitted in some cases. However, for convenience of description, the description will be made based on the case including the process of forming the overcoat layer 400 and the via hole 410.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a transparent conductive film P is formed on the overcoat layer 400. Transparent conductive film (P) includes indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), al-doped zinc oxide (AZO), ga-doped zinc oxide (GZO), propylenedioxythiophene, poly (3,4- Materials such as ethylenedioxythiophene, carbon nanotube, graphene or silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), molybdenum It can be formed by a method such as sputtering, vapor deposition (thermal vapor deposition or electron beam vapor deposition) using a metal material made of any one of (Mo) or an alloy thereof (above step 4-1).

Next, referring to FIG. 11, the transparent conductive film P is patterned to form the bridge electrode part 500 and the transparent electrode 600. The patterning may use a patterning process such as a photo process (photoresist coating and exposure process), a screen printing method, a gravure printing method, an inkjet printing method, and the like. The bridge electrode 500 is formed at a position corresponding to the via hole 410, and the transparent electrode 600 is formed to be spaced apart from the bridge electrode 500 by a predetermined interval. A portion of the bridge electrode 500 may be inserted into the via hole 410 to electrically connect the pattern electrodes constituting the second pattern portion 220. On the other hand, formation of the transparent electrode 600 can be omitted (step 4-2 above).

Finally, the touch screen display may be completed by bonding the liquid crystal layer and the thin film transistor array substrate on the bridge electrode part 500.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The present invention can be variously modified and changed by those skilled in the art, and it is also within the scope of the present invention.

1000: touch screen display
100: substrate 100A: active region
100B: inactive area 200: conductive black matrix
210: first pattern portion 220: second pattern portion
230: first wiring portion 240: second wiring portion
300: color forming unit 400: overcoating layer
410: via hole 500: bridge electrode portion
501: protrusion
600: transparent electrode 700: liquid crystal layer
800: thin film transistor array substrate P: transparent conductive film

Claims (10)

Board;
A plurality of pixel regions formed on the substrate to designate a plurality of pixel regions, the first pattern portions being connected to each other in a first direction, and the second pattern portions being separated from each other in a second direction by crossing the first pattern portions; A conductive black matrix;
A plurality of color forming parts disposed in the plurality of pixel areas designated by the conductive black matrix; And
And a bridge electrode part disposed on the color forming part to electrically connect the second pattern part. The method according to claim 1,
The color forming unit is a color filter or an organic light emitting display. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The substrate includes an active region and an inactive region,
The first pattern portion and the second pattern portion of the conductive black matrix are formed in the active region of the substrate,
The conductive black matrix may include a first wiring part connected to the first pattern part and formed in an inactive region of the substrate; And
And a second wiring part connected to the second pattern part and formed in an inactive area of the substrate. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising an overcoat layer disposed on the color forming portion,
And a plurality of via holes formed at the point where the bridge electrode portion and the second pattern portion are connected to the overcoating layer. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The touch screen display further comprises a plurality of transparent electrodes disposed above the color forming portion spaced apart from the bridge electrode portion. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising a metal layer deposited on top of the conductive black matrix,
The metal layer is made of any one of silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo) or an alloy thereof. Forming a conductive black matrix on the substrate;
Patterning the conductive black matrix to specify a plurality of pixel regions, and forming a first pattern portion connected to each other in a first direction and a second pattern portion disposed to be separated from each other in a second direction by crossing the first pattern portion; Second step;
A third step of forming a color forming unit in the designated plurality of pixel areas; And
And a fourth step of arranging a bridge electrode part on the color forming part to electrically connect the second pattern part. The method of claim 7,
Between the first step and the second step,
Forming a metal layer on the conductive black matrix;
In the second step, the conductive black matrix and the metal layer are simultaneously patterned to form the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
Between the third step and the fourth step,
Forming an overcoating layer on the color forming unit; And
And forming a plurality of via holes in the overcoating layer. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
In the fourth step,
4-1 to form a transparent conductive film on the color forming unit; And
And forming a transparent electrode to pattern the transparent conductive film to electrically connect the second pattern part, and to form a transparent electrode to be spaced apart from the bridge electrode part by a predetermined distance.

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