KR20190024864A - Smart irrigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart irrigation system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a smart irrigation system comprises: at least one smart valve connected to a predetermined water source and supplying water to a predetermined area; a control center for controlling an operation of a smart valve; a network device for exchanging signals between the control center and the smart valve; and a self-generating flow meter that produces power from the hydraulic power of water provided through the smart valve to provide power to the smart valve.

Description

Smart Irrigation System {SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a smart irrigation system, and more particularly, to a smart irrigation system comprising at least one smart valve connected to a predetermined water source and supplying water to a predetermined area; A control center for controlling operation of the smart valve; A network device for exchanging signals between the control center and the smart valve; And a self-generating flow meter for generating electric power by the hydraulic power of water provided through the smart valve to supply electric power to the smart valve, and to a smart irrigation system in which safe water supply to crops can be performed remotely.

Effective distribution and use of agricultural water is needed to overcome the region's yearly recurring season and efficiently cope with agriculture water demand concentrated at the same time. Especially, agricultural equipment that can supply agricultural water to individual farmers is required for the agricultural characteristics in which the usage is concentrated at the same time, and a system-manageable solution is required in order not to lose the operation.

The government and institutions are providing solutions to prevent and solve the damage caused by water shortage, such as the supply of fresh water facilities and reservoirs. However, the inefficient agricultural water supply system has not provided a fundamental solution.

In order to prevent such damage, various remote control irrigation systems have been proposed which control the operation remotely and supply water to the agricultural land, but the practical use efficiency is very low due to the characteristics of the agricultural land having a large area and relatively poor electric supply and communication conditions .

Therefore, there is a need for a system capable of smartly managing supply and demand through an agricultural water supply system capable of coping with poor electricity supply situation while having a network system capable of transmitting and receiving various information in agricultural land.

Registration No. 10-1413734

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is conceived to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a smart valve which is connected to a predetermined water source and supplies water to a predetermined area. A control center for controlling operation of the smart valve; A network device for exchanging signals between the control center and the smart valve; And a self-generating flowmeter for generating electric power by hydraulic power of water provided through the smart valve to supply electric power to the smart valve, and a smart irrigation system capable of supplying safe water to crops remotely, There is a purpose.

A smart irrigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: at least one smart valve connected to a predetermined water source and supplying water to a predetermined area; A control center for controlling operation of the smart valve; A network device for exchanging signals between the control center and the smart valve; And a self-generating flow meter for generating electric power by hydraulic power of water provided through the smart valve to supply electric power to the smart valve.

The control center may further include a main processing unit including a main database unit for storing information including crop growth information and area information, and an algorithm for deriving a feed schedule using the information stored in the main database unit .

In addition, the main processing unit may include an automatic operation mode and a manual operation mode. In the automatic operation mode, the smart valve is operated in accordance with a water supply schedule derived from the main processing unit. In the manual operation mode, The main processing unit may switch to the automatic operation mode if the user signal is not received for a predetermined time in the manual operation mode.

In addition, the smart valves are each provided with a predetermined number, and when the unique number is registered in the control center, operation of the smart valve having the unique number can be controlled by the control center.

In addition, the smart valve includes a GPS, and when the unique number of the smart valve is registered, information on the area where the smart valve is installed may be transmitted to the control center.

Further, the smart irrigation system is communicatively connected to a user's mobile terminal, and a user can operate the smart valve through an application of the user's mobile terminal and output a watering schedule generated in the control center have.

In addition, the unique number of the smart valve can be registered in the control center by the application.

In addition, the application may selectively group a plurality of the smart valves and control the associated smart valves in association with each other.

Further, the smart valve includes an emergency control system, and the emergency control system can operate when the signal exchange with the control center is interrupted for a predetermined period of time to control the operation of the smart valve.

Further, the smart valve includes an emergency control system, and the self-generating flow meter includes a power storage unit that provides power to the smart valve, and the emergency control system determines that the residual power amount in the power storage unit is less than a predetermined range The smart valve can be forcibly opened to generate electricity in the self-generating flow meter.

According to the smart irrigation system of the present invention, crops can be supplied to a remote site, which is difficult for a user to directly manage. In particular, the smart valve exchanges signals with the control center by a network device, and can perform water supply by a command received from a remote location, so that water management can be easily performed. In addition, since the control center has a main database storing crop information, information on the specifications of smart valves, and local information, and has a main processing device for processing the various information to derive an optimum water supply schedule, Lt; / RTI >

Also, since the smart valve has a unique number and is registered in the control center and has a GPS device, the information of the area where the smart valve is installed can be effectively obtained at the control center to provide an optimum watering schedule.

In addition, with the self-generated flow meter, a smart valve can be installed and utilized even in areas where electricity supply is difficult. In addition, emergency control system that operates when forced power generation occurs when the remaining power is low and when the signal between the control center and the smart valve is cut off, increases the possibility of utilization in a poor communication area, It is possible to prevent the water supply to the crop from being interrupted.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a smart irrigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating signal exchange of a smart irrigation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view of a smart valve and a self-generating flow meter of a smart irrigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a structure of a self-generating flow meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating registration of a unique number of a smart valve to a control center using an input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing a control screen of a smart valve output through an input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly explain the embodiments of the present invention in the drawings, portions not related to the description are omitted.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms "comprises", "having", or "having" are used interchangeably to designate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, Steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of elements, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

In addition, the following embodiments are provided to explain more clearly to those skilled in the art, and the shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings and the like can be exaggerated for clarity.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a smart irrigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating signal exchange of a smart irrigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view of a smart valve 100 and a self-generating flow meter 400 of a smart irrigation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 3, a smart irrigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a smart valve 100, a control center 200, a network device 300, a self-generating flow meter 400, and an input / (500).

The smart valve 100 is a device installed on a cultivated land and connected to a predetermined water source through a predetermined pipe to supply water to the crop in the installed area. The smart valve 100 may include a valve body 110, a valve actuator 120, and a valve control unit 130.

The valve body 110 is a member constituting the valve body. The valve body 110 may include a valve housing 112 having a predetermined flow path and a valve unit (not shown) provided in the valve housing 112.

The valve housing 112 is connected to a predetermined conduit to receive water. A nozzle 114 may be provided outside the valve housing 112 to discharge the supplied water to the outside. A flow path is provided in the valve housing 112 to connect the nozzle 114 to the pipe. The number and structure of the nozzles 114 are not limited, and preferably the nozzle 114 can have a configuration capable of evenly distributing the water supplied at a predetermined water pressure over a large area.

A valve unit (not shown) is provided in the valve housing 112 and can open and close a flow path in the valve housing 112. When the valve is opened and the channel and the channel are communicated, the water supplied from the outside can be discharged to the outside through the nozzle 112 and supplied to the crop. The valve portion may have any operating structure such as a ball valve, a diaphragm valve, a globe valve, a gate valve, and the like, and is not limited to a specific structure.

The valve actuator 120 is a predetermined actuator operated by a predetermined operation signal. The valve actuator 120 may operate the valve in the valve housing 112 to selectively supply water. The valve actuator 120 is not limited to any particular type of device, and any type of electric actuator may be used. For example, the valve actuator 120 may be a predetermined solenoid or a predetermined motor.

The valve actuator 120 may be a latching type solenoid valve that can be driven with low power. On the other hand, when the valve actuator 120 is a motor and the valve is a ball valve operated by a motor, a valve actuator 120 of fully open / close signal type is used for low power driving .

The valve control unit 130 controls the operation of the valve actuator 120. The valve control unit 130 can actuate the valve actuator 120 by the operation signal received from the control center 200 to open and close the valve unit. Accordingly, the valve control unit 130 may include a sub-processing unit for generating a predetermined signal, and a sub-database for storing data. The valve control unit 130 may be electrically connected to the valve actuator 120.

The valve control unit 130 may include an emergency control system. The emergency control system may control whether or not the smart valve 100 and the control center 200 exchange signals or whether or not the smart valve 100 is in a battery state or whether there is residual power of the power storage unit 450 of the self- It is a working device.

In one example, the emergency control system may automatically operate when the signal exchange with the control center 200 is interrupted for a predetermined period of time. When the emergency control system is operated, the valve control unit 130 itself sets the valve actuator 120 in accordance with a predetermined period, time interval, regardless of the operation signal of the valve actuator 120 transmitted through the control center 200 Water can be operated by operating. For example, when the emergency control system operates, the operation of the valve actuator 120 is controlled according to the opening / closing cycle of the valve unit, the opening / closing time interval, and the opening / closing time of the valve unit input to the valve control unit 130, Can be controlled.

Alternatively, as will be described later, when the electric power in the capacitor of the self-generated flow meter 400 is less than a predetermined value, the emergency control system operates to forcibly open the valve in the smart valve 100 and charge the electric power .

The valve actuator 120 and the valve control unit 130 may be electrically driven and the smart valve may be provided with a predetermined battery for operating the valve actuator 120 and the valve control unit 130, Power can be supplied through the power storage unit 450 of the self-generating flow meter 400. [

In addition, the smart valve 100 may have a predetermined sensor (not shown). The sensor may include, but is not necessarily limited to, a predetermined thermometer, a weather vane, and a hygrometer for sensing the humidity, temperature, wind direction, and salinity of the area where the smart valve 100 is installed.

Each smart valve 100 may have a predetermined number. Such a unique number can be given by, for example, a predetermined bar code or a QR code. Various specification information such as a water supply range and water supply water pressure of each smart valve 100 can be recorded in the unique number. When the smart valve 100 having the unique number is installed in one area and the corresponding number is registered in the control center 200 described later, the operation of the smart valve 100 having the registered unique number is performed by the control center 200 ). ≪ / RTI >

The registration of the unique number of the smart valve 100 may be performed by the input / output device 500 configured by a predetermined application of the mobile device. For example, after the smart valve 100 is installed in one area, the smart valve 100 is registered in the control center 200 through a predetermined mobile device, And the user can control the operation of the smart valve 100 through the application of the mobile device and confirm the result.

In addition, each smart valve 100 may have a predetermined GPS device (not shown) capable of indicating the location where the smart valve 100 is installed. Therefore, when the smart valve 100 is installed on the cultivated land and the GPS device provided in the smart valve 100 is operated, the position where the smart valve 100 is installed can be grasped.

In addition, the smart valve 100 may have a predetermined communication means. Such a communication means can constitute a part of the network device 300 described later. For example, a communication antenna 140 for transmitting and receiving a predetermined signal may be provided.

The control center 200 may include a main database 210, and a main processing unit 220.

The main database 210 is a predetermined information storage device into which various kinds of information can be inputted and stored. The information that can be stored in the main database 210 may be, for example, weather information, local information, and various crops, plant growth information, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The main processing unit 220 processes the information stored in the main database 210 to derive a water supply schedule including a water supply cycle for the crop in the area where the smart valve 100 is installed and a water supply amount.

As described above, when the unique number of the smart valve 100 is registered in the control center 200, the smart valve 100 having the registered corresponding unique number is controlled by the control center 200. [ In addition, the specification information such as the water supply range and water pressure of each smart valve 100 is provided to the control center 200 in accordance with the registration of the unique number, and the control center 200 supplies the specification information of the smart valve 100 to the water supply This can be reflected in schedule creation.

Since the smart valve 100 has a built-in GPS device, the control center 200 can grasp the area where the smart valve 100 is installed. Therefore, the smart valve 100 can be detected by the external geographical and weather information providing system, The geographical and weather information of the installed area can be obtained and provided to the user. Therefore, the control center 200 can generate an optimal water supply schedule for each smart valve 100 having the unique number according to the information of the installation area.

The main processing unit 220 may be a computing device such as a predetermined CPU. The main processing unit 220 may include an algorithm for processing the various information provided to derive an optimal water supply schedule. For example, the algorithm may include information on the growth of crops stored in the main database 210, meteorological information provided by an external weather control system, specification information of the smart valve 100 registered through a unique number, Temperature, salinity, wind direction, etc., obtained through the sensor unit provided in the control unit 100, and thus an optimal water supply schedule can be derived. In addition, it may include an algorithm that visually provides the processed information to the user.

The main processing unit 220 is connected to the main processing unit 220 through an optimal water supply unit 220. The main processing unit 220 is connected to the main processing unit 220. The main processing unit 220 is connected to the main processing unit 220, You can create a schedule.

For example, in the case of rice, a large amount of water is required at the time of planting. Accordingly, when the smart valve 100 is installed in the agricultural land of Korea and is used for watering rice, a primary water supply schedule is to be provided so as to supply a large amount of water at the time of planting according to the weather information, The main processing unit 220 may adjust the water supply schedule so that the water supply is performed in a small amount by reflecting the weather information.

In addition, the user can input a transition point and a growth point of the crop to the control center 200 through a predetermined input / output device 500. The control center 200 can derive the feed schedule necessary for the crop based on the growth information of the crop stored in the main database 210. [ For example, when the time of planting is delayed or accelerated compared to the time of normal planting, the control center 200 can provide a feed schedule reflecting the changed planting time by inputting the planting time to the control center 200.

Meanwhile, the control center 200 has an automatic watering mode in which watering is automatically performed in accordance with a watering schedule derived by the main processing unit 220, and a manual watering mode in which a user directly determines watering, Manual feedwater can be selectively made. For example, when the user can not manage for a long period of time, the user can select the automatic water supply mode so that the control center 200 can supply water according to the water supply schedule derived by the main processing unit 220. Alternatively, even in the manual watering mode, the control center 200 may switch to the automatic watering mode so as to perform watering in the case of an emergency, such as when a watering command by the user is not performed for a predetermined period of time. Accordingly, in the main processing unit 220 of the control center 200, an operation algorithm according to an automatic watering mode and a manual watering mode, and an emergency switching algorithm for switching to an automatic watering mode when an emergency situation is detected in the manual watering mode Can be embedded.

The control center 200 may include a predetermined input device and an output device for inputting and outputting various information separately from the input / output device 500 described later.

The network device 300 is a device for mediating signal transmission between the control center 200 and the smart valve 100. The network device 300 includes a transmission / reception device installed in the smart valve 100, a predetermined transmission / reception device installed in the self-generated flow meter 400 described later, a predetermined transmission / reception device provided in the control center 200, A predetermined communication network and a server for relaying communication between the transmitting and receiving devices of the mobile communication terminal. The network device 300 may use short-range or long-range wireless communication means such as RF, IrDA, WiFi, UWB, Bluetooth, Zigbee, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE and LTE- Low-power long-distance wireless communication means can be used, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

4 is a view showing a structure of a self-generating flow meter 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The self-generated flow meter 400 is composed of a predetermined power generation device that measures the amount of water supplied through the smart valve 100 and generates electricity by the water flow passing through the flowmeter. The self-generated flow meter 400 may be, for example, a small-scale hydroelectric power generator installed in a conduit connected to the smart valve 100 and generating electricity using the flow of water passing through the conduit when the smart valve 100 is opened.

The self-generating flow meter 400 includes a flow meter housing 410, a turbine 420 rotating by hydraulic power, a magnetic part 430 connected to the turbine 420 and rotated, A coil part 440, and a power storage part 450 in which the induced electricity is charged.

The flow meter housing 410 may be configured such that the conduits are connected in both directions so that the water passes in one direction. The flow meter housing 410 may include a base housing 412 in which a turbine 420 is disposed and rotatable, and a predetermined cover housing 414. The space formed in the base housing may have a cylindrical configuration, and the turbine 420 installed therein may be configured to rotate in one direction in accordance with the flow of water. 3, the flow meter housing 410 is connected to the side of the smart valve 100 so that the self-generated flow meter 400 is configured separately from the smart valve 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, An embodiment in which the flowmeter housing 410 is embedded in the flowmeter 100 is also possible. That is, the self-generated flow meter 400 may be installed at any position on the movement path of the water discharged through the smart valve 100.

The turbine 420 converts the flow of water through the flowmeter housing 410 into rotational force. The turbine 420 is installed in the flow meter housing 410 and is rotatable about an axis.

The magnetic portion 430 is a member having magnetism and is a member rotatable in connection with the turbine 420. [ 4, a plate-shaped base 432 is connected to the rotating shaft of the turbine 420, and a plurality of magnet members 434 are disposed on the base, The base 432 and the magnet member 434 may be rotated, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

The coil part 440 is a member that generates an induced current in accordance with the rotation of the magnet member 434. The coil section 440 may also be provided on a predetermined base, but is not limited thereto. The coil portion 440 may be located on the top of the magnet member 434 or may be located radially outward about the rotational center axis of the magnet member 434, but is not limited thereto.

The structure of the magnetic part 430 and the coil part 440 is not limited to that shown in the drawings and electromagnetic induction is generated by the rotation of the turbine 420 so that it can have any structure capable of producing electricity. As another example, an embodiment in which the magnetic part 430 is fixed and the coil part 440 is rotated is also possible.

 The power storage unit 450 is a predetermined power storage device electrically connected to the coil part 440 and is an apparatus in which an induced current generated in the coil part 440 is transmitted by the rotation of the turbine 420 to charge the power. The power storage unit 450 can supply power to the smart valve 100 and at the same time can transmit the current amount of power information to the valve control unit 130 provided in the smart valve 100.

The self-generated flow meter 400 is operated by the control center 200 when the water is supplied through the smart valve 100 to produce electricity. However, the self-generating flow meter 400 may also be operated by an emergency control system provided in the valve control unit 130 of the smart valve 100. [ That is, the emergency control system provided in the smart valve 100 operates the valve actuator 120 without the operation signal of the control center 200 when the power in the capacitor of the self-generated flow meter 400 is judged to be below the predetermined range The water is supplied through the smart valve 100 to allow the self-generated flow meter 400 to produce electricity and charge the capacitor. Therefore, the power required for operation of the smart valve 100 is exhausted and the operation can be prevented from being stopped.

In addition, the self-generating flow meter 400 may include a measuring unit (not shown). The metering unit can measure the amount of water supplied by measuring the flow rate through the self-generating flow meter (400). In addition, when the malfunction of the smart valve 100 occurs and the amount of water passing through the self-generated flow meter 400 is abnormal, a predetermined failure signal can be generated. For this, the reference flow amount data, which is a normal water flow amount, can be built in the operation of the smart valve 100. When the difference is large, the actual water flow amount and the reference flow amount are compared during operation, and a failure signal can be transmitted to the control center 200 have. The storage of the reference flow volume data and the comparison of the flow volume can be performed by the valve control unit 130 of the smart valve 100 or by the self generation flow meter 400 having a control unit with a predetermined algorithm, 400) is also possible.

With the self-generated flow meter 400, the smart valve 100 of the present invention can operate without being connected to a separate external power source. In particular, as described above, the self-generated flow meter 400 is configured to be operated by the emergency control system of the smart valve 100 when the power is exhausted, in addition to the operation by the operation signal of the control center 200, Can be prevented from stopping the operation. Therefore, the irrigation system according to the present invention can be installed in an area where power supply is difficult, and is not provided with a separate power supply means, so that the irrigation system can operate and produce electricity by itself. This can achieve beneficial effects for irrigation and crop cultivation in undeveloped areas such as desert areas and remote areas.

The input / output device 500 is a device that receives various signals of a user and can output various kinds of information. The input / output device 500 may transmit a user's signal to the smart valve 100 and the control center 200 or may output a signal generated by the smart valve 100 and the control center 200 to the user. In addition, various information can be input to the main database 210 through the input / output device 500 and stored. In addition, the user can confirm the processing result and the like. Preferably, such input / output device 500 may be a mobile device having a predetermined application as an example. The application can input commands and information of a user, and can include an algorithm that visually indicates processing results.

5, the user registers the unique number of the smart valve 100 in the control center 200 through the input / output device 500, and the smart valve 100 is cultivated in the cultivated area where each smart valve 100 is watered Varieties of crops can also be selected and registered. For example, when a variety of crops to be cultivated on the cultivated area where water supply is performed by the one smart valve 100 is input, the main processing unit 220 processes the growth information of the crops stored in the main database 210 to generate a water supply schedule can do. In addition, in the manual watering mode, the user can directly instruct water supply through the input / output device 500, and in the automatic watering mode, the user can confirm information on the water supply state and the like through the input / output device 500.

Meanwhile, the application may group the plurality of smart valves 100 and issue an operation command at the same time. For example, when a plurality of smart valves 100 are installed in one area, since the smart valve 100 of the corresponding area has common local information and weather information, the user can change the unique number of the corresponding smart valve 100 to one group You can also bundle them together and issue commands to work together at the same time. This grouping may be performed for a plurality of smart valves 100, and a plurality of groups may be set. It is also possible to give predetermined information to the smart valve 100 having a predetermined number and to group the smart valve 100 to which the information is given. For example, it is possible to assign the local information to a plurality of smart valves 100 installed in one area, and to group the smart valves having the same local information into one group. In addition to the grouping based on the area, the grouping based on the specification of the smart valve 100, the time when the smart valve is installed, and the type of the crop to which water is supplied through each smart valve can be grouped.

6 shows an example of a screen output to the input / output device 500 through such an application. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the water supply amount for a predetermined group can be output to the input / output device 500, and the water supply time and water supply amount can be output as shown in (b). In addition, the weather information can be output, and the watering schedule can be set as a timer so that the watering can be performed according to the scheduled schedule.

According to the present invention, it is possible to supply water to a remote place that is difficult for a user to directly manage. In particular, the smart valve 100 exchanges signals with the control center 200 by the network device 300 to perform water supply by a command received from a remote location, so that water management can be facilitated. The control center 200 also has a main database 210 storing crop information, specification information of the smart valve 100, local information, etc., and a main processing unit 210 for processing the various information to derive an optimum water supply schedule By having the device 210, more efficient water management can be achieved.

Since the smart valve 100 has a unique number and is registered in the control center 200 and has a GPS device, the information of the area where the smart valve 100 is installed is effectively acquired in the control center 200, Schedule can be provided.

Further, with the self-generated flow meter 400, the smart valve 100 can be installed and utilized even in an area where electricity supply is difficult. In addition, by having an emergency control system that is activated when the residual power is low and the power is forcibly generated and the signal between the control center 200 and the smart valve 100 is shut off, And it is possible to prevent the water supply to the crop from being stopped in an unexpected accident.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, . Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but should be determined by equivalents to the appended claims, as well as the appended claims.

100: Smart valve
110: valve housing
112: nozzle
120: Valve actuator
130:
140: Communication antenna
200: Control Center
210: main database
220: main processing unit
300: Network device
400: self-generated flow meter
410: Flow meter housing
412: Base housing
414: Cover housing
420: Turbine
430:
432: Base
434: Magnet member
440: coil part
450:
460: Control device
500: input / output device

Claims (1)

At least one smart valve connected to a predetermined water source and supplying water to a predetermined area;
A control center for controlling operation of the smart valve;
A network device for exchanging signals between the control center and the smart valve; And
And a self-generating flow meter for generating power from the hydro-hydraulic power of water provided through the smart valve to provide power to the smart valve.

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