KR20230000256A - Asynchronous serial communication device with self-diagnostic function - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an asynchronous serial communication device with a self-diagnostic function. The present invention may comprise: a data processing unit which selectively transmits transmission data or diagnostic data and performs a diagnostic mode; a UART which converts the transmission data of the data processing unit into serial data and converts reception data into parallel data; a first switching unit which selectively returns the diagnostic data converted by the UART to a reception end of the UART; a storage unit which stores diagnostic software and the diagnostic data for performing the diagnostic mode of the data processing unit; and a diagnostic control unit which controls a switching state of the first switching unit according to execution of the diagnostic software.

Description

Asynchronous serial communication device with self-diagnostic function}

The present invention relates to an asynchronous serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function, and more particularly, to an asynchronous serial communication device capable of verifying functions and performance without using an external diagnostic device.

In general, an asynchronous serial communication device includes a processor for data processing, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART), and a transceiver.

The processor may generally be a CPU, and the UART controller performs a role of serializing parallel data to be transmitted, or parallelizing received serial data to be provided to the processor.

The transceiver supports various serial communication methods such as RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485.

In order to check the function and performance of the serial communication device having such a configuration, the state of the device is diagnosed using an external device such as a laptop computer and a diagnostic program. However, a certain level of expertise is required to use external devices and diagnostic programs.

In addition, since each manufacturer of the serial communication device to be inspected uses a different wiring method and setting method, manual operation (manual setting) is necessarily required, and errors may occur during this process, requiring a lot of material, human, and time for verification and inspection. waste occurs.

Registered Patent No. 10-1171884 (serial communication interface monitoring device, registered on August 1, 2012) is a technique for checking conventional serial communication devices in consideration of these problems. Techniques for identifying and monitoring transmitted and received serial data packets are described.

However, such a prior art does not perform self-checking in the serial communication device itself, but relates to a new external device that replaces an existing external device such as a laptop computer, and has a problem in that a lot of cost is required for checking the communication system. .

In addition, since the above registered patent detects and checks the output data of the master and the slave, it is not possible to check which block among the individual blocks constituting the master has an error.

In other words, it is possible to detect whether there is an error in the data packet of the master communication device, but it is not possible to check which component of the master communication device has an error. There was a problem in that the location of the failure had to be accurately checked using .

Hereinafter, a method of inspecting a serial communication device using conventional out-of-store devices and inspection software will be described in more detail.

1 to 4 are screen configuration diagrams of conventional serial communication device inspection software.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the inspection software is executed and the corresponding Comport is opened (FIG. 1). In the drawing, an example in which Comfort is COM3 is shown.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, various items such as the number and quantity of comports, data bits, and parity bits are set on the inspection software setting screen. In the drawing, an example of setting COM30, 1 Ports is shown.

Also set Baudrate. The drawing shows an example of setting 921600.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, after selecting terminal, window, and tile in order in the inspection software, the RS232 loopback connector is mounted on the DB9 connector of the external device.

Then, when SEND DATA is selected as shown in FIG. 4, alphabets representing the communication state are continuously output on the screen, and the alphabets should be output without breaking.

A state in which data is normally output indicates a normal state when the send byte and the receive byte are the same.

In addition, flow control should be checked. As shown in FIG. 5, when RTS is selected, it is judged normal if CTS and RTS operate in synchronization, and if DSR and DCD operate in synchronization by selecting DTR, it is judged normal.

In order to operate such inspection software, the operation of the existing software must be stopped, the inspection software must be started, the existing connector and cable must be disconnected, and a separate loopback connector or test equipment must be connected.

With the loopback connector connected, the specified data is transmitted, loopback is returned, or data sent from another test device is checked to check whether there is an abnormality.

An object to be solved by the present invention in consideration of the above problems is to provide an asynchronous serial communication device including a self-diagnosis function.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an asynchronous serial communication device that can clearly identify whether a failure location is a UART or transceiver.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention asynchronous serial communication device includes a data processing unit that selectively transmits transmission data or diagnostic data and performs a diagnosis mode, and converts the transmission data of the data processing unit into serial data. A UART that converts received data into parallel data, a first switching unit that selectively returns the diagnostic data converted in the UART to the receiving terminal of the UART, diagnostic software for performing a diagnostic mode of the data processing unit, and the diagnostic data It may include a storage unit for storing and a diagnosis control unit for controlling the switching state of the first switching unit according to the execution of the diagnosis software.

In an embodiment of the present invention, transmission data is received through the first switching unit, converted according to a serial communication method, and output to a connector, and the received data received through the connector is processed and transmitted to the UART through the first switching unit. Further comprising a transmission and reception unit for providing, wherein the transmission and reception unit generates a loop connecting an internal transmission channel and a reception channel under the control of the diagnosis control unit to return the diagnostic data and provide it to the data processing unit through the UART. can

In an embodiment of the present invention, transmission data is received through the first switching unit, converted according to a serial communication method, and output to a connector, and the received data received through the connector is processed and transmitted to the UART through the first switching unit. The transmission/reception unit may further include a transmission/reception unit and a second switching unit configured to connect a transmission channel and a reception channel of the transmission/reception unit according to switching control of the diagnosis control unit in a diagnosis mode.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the diagnosis mode is a first method for diagnosing the performance of the UART by connecting a transmission channel and a reception channel of the UART according to the state of the first switching unit so that the transmission data of the UART is received back. A diagnosis mode and a second diagnosis mode for diagnosing performance of the transceiver by regressing transmission data of the transceiver in a state in which the UART is connected to the transceiver by the first switching unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second diagnosis mode may be performed if there is no abnormality as a result of diagnosis of the UART after execution of the first diagnosis mode.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the regression received data is compared with the diagnostic data stored in the storage unit in the data processing unit to detect an error rate, and the comparison can be performed on a byte-by-byte basis based on an ASCII character string.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first switching unit includes a first switch and a second switch that selectively connect the transmission channel and the reception channel of the UART to the transmission and reception unit, respectively, and the first switch and the second switch are opened. In this state, a third switch interconnecting the transmission channel and the reception channel of the UART may be included.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second switching unit, the fourth switch and the fifth switch for selectively connecting the transmit channel and the receive channel of the transceiver to the connector, respectively, in the open state of the fourth switch and the fifth switch A sixth switch interconnecting a transmission channel and a reception channel of the transceiver may be included.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second switching unit may include a switch that connects a transmission channel and a reception channel of the transceiver in the diagnosis mode.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a display unit for displaying a diagnosis result of the data processing unit may be further included, and the display unit may separately display a result of the first diagnosis mode and a result of the second diagnosis mode.

The asynchronous serial communication device of the present invention includes a self-diagnosis function in the serial communication device itself so that it automatically performs self-inspection according to a set cycle without separate manipulation, thereby preventing the input of human resources and reducing cost and inspection time. There are possible effects.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of reducing the time and effort required for maintenance and repair by inspecting each of the main functional blocks constituting the serial communication device and accurately detecting the location where the error occurs.

1 to 4 are screen configuration diagrams of conventional diagnostic software, respectively.
5 is an exemplary view of a screen for checking modem flow control in conventional diagnostic software.
6 is a block diagram of a serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exemplary view of a first switching unit.
8 is an exemplary view of a second switching unit.
9 is an explanatory diagram of a first diagnosis mode.
10 is an explanatory diagram of a second diagnosis mode.
11 and 12 are block configuration diagrams of another embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

In order to fully understand the configuration and effects of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be implemented in various forms and various changes may be made. However, the description of the present embodiment is provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to completely inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention to which the present invention belongs. In the accompanying drawings, the size of the components is enlarged from the actual size for convenience of description, and the ratio of each component may be exaggerated or reduced.

Terms such as 'first' and 'second' may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the above terms. The above terms may only be used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a 'first element' may be named a 'second element', and similarly, a 'second element' may also be named a 'first element'. can Also, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as meanings commonly known to those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined.

6 is a block diagram of a serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the present invention includes a data processing unit 10 that selectively outputs transmission data or diagnostic data, receives transmission data from a communication counterpart, and performs a diagnosis mode, and transmission data of the data processing unit 10. A UART 20 that converts into serial data and also converts received data into parallel data, and a first switching unit that selectively returns the diagnostic data converted in the UART 20 to the receiving terminal of the UART 20 ( 30), and receives transmission data through the first switching unit 30, converts it according to the serial communication method, outputs it to the connector 60, and processes the received data received through the connector 60 to The transmission/reception unit 40 provides the data to the UART 20 through the switching unit 30, and the second switching unit selectively returns the diagnostic data processed by the transmission/reception unit 40 to the receiving end of the transmission/reception unit 40. 50, a storage unit 70 for storing diagnostic software and the diagnostic data, and the first switching unit 30 and the second switching unit 50 according to the execution of the diagnostic software in the storage unit 70 It may include a diagnosis control unit 80 that controls the switching state of and a display unit 90 that displays whether the UART 20 and the transmission/reception unit 40 are abnormal.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in more detail.

First, the diagnostic software includes a control function for switching the first switching unit 30 and the second switching unit 50, respectively, and a function for transmitting and receiving diagnostic data and automatically changing communication settings. It includes a function that automatically determines the function and communication success rate.

In particular, the diagnostic software is built into a driver or firmware.

The data processing unit 10 may be a processor such as a central processing unit or a device connected to an I/O bus such as PCI/PCIe to process data.

The data processor 10 may be understood as a functional block that transmits transmission data to the outside of the device and receives and processes received data from the outside of the device.

In particular, processing data of the data processing unit 10 is assumed to process data in parallel to improve processing speed.

Therefore, the transmission data of the data processor 10 is parallel (parallel) data, and is processed as serial data in the UART 20.

7 is an exemplary view of the first switching unit 30 .

The first switching unit 30 includes a first switch S1 that opens or closes the first transmission channel Tx1 between the UART 20 and the transceiver 40 and between the UART 20 and the transceiver 40. It may be configured to include a second switch (S2) that opens or closes the first receive channel (Rx1) of the UART (20), and a third switch (S3) that directly connects or disconnects the transmitting end and the receiving end of the UART (20).

In addition, the first switching unit 30 includes a first modem switch SM1 that opens or closes the first modem transmission channel TMx1 between the UART 20 and the transceiver 40, and the UART 20 and the transceiver unit. A second modem switch (SM2) that opens or closes the first modem reception channel (RMx1) between (40) and a third modem switch (SM3) that directly connects or disconnects the modem transmitter and modem receiver of the UART (20). It can be configured to include.

The first switch (S1), the second switch (S2), and the third switch (S3) all perform the switch control function of the diagnostic software in the diagnosis control unit 80, and the state is switched according to the output switching signal. The first switch S1 and the second switch S2 always show the same switching state, and the third switch S3 always shows the opposite switching state to the first switch S1 and the second switch S2.

In addition, the first modem switch (SM1), the second modem switch (SM2) and the third modem switch (SM3) are all switched according to the switching signal of the diagnosis control unit 80, and the first modem switch (SM1) and The second modem switch SM2 always shows the same switching state, and the third modem switch SM3 always shows the opposite switching state to those of the first modem switch SM1 and the second modem switch SM2.

In the normal operation mode, not the diagnostic mode, the first switch (S1), the second switch (S2), the first modem switch (SM1), and the second modem switch (SM2) are closed, and the third switch (S3) and The third modem switch SM3 is in an open state. The diagnosis mode at this time is the first diagnosis mode for the UART 20, and in the second diagnosis mode for diagnosing the transceiver 40, the third switch S3 and the third modem switch SM3 are open, the first The switch S1, the second switch S2, the first modem switch SM1, and the second modem switch SM2 are closed.

8 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the second switching unit 50 .

Similar to the first switching unit 30, the second switching unit 50 also includes a data transmission/reception channel for transmission/reception of serial data and a modem signal transmission/reception channel for transmission/reception of modem signals.

Specifically, the fourth switch (S4) for opening or closing the second transmission channel (Tx2) between the transmission and reception unit 40 and the connector 60, and the second reception channel between the transmission and reception unit 40 and the connector 60 It may include a fifth switch S5 that opens or closes (Rx2) and a sixth switch S6 that directly connects or disconnects the transmitting end and the receiving end of the transceiver 40.

In addition, the fourth modem switch SM4 opens or closes the second modem transmission channel TMx2 between the transceiver 40 and the connector 60, and the second modem between the transceiver 40 and the connector 60. It may be configured to include a fifth modem switch (SM5) that opens or closes the receiving channel (RMx2) and a sixth modem switch (SM6) that directly connects or disconnects the modem transmitting end and the modem receiving end of the transceiver 40. .

The fourth switch (S4) and the fifth switch (S5) and the fourth modem switch (SM4) and the fifth modem switch (SM5) always maintain the same state, and the sixth switch (S6) is the fourth switch (S4). ) and the fifth switch S5, and the sixth modem switch SM6 also has a switching state opposite to that of the fourth modem switch SM4 and the fifth modem switch SM5.

In the second diagnosis mode in which the transceiver 40 is inspected, the sixth switch S6 is in a closed state, and the fourth switch S4 and the fifth switch S5 are in an open state. Also, for the return of the modem signal, the sixth modem switch SM6 is closed, and the fourth modem switch SM4 and the fifth modem switch SM5 are opened.

In the normal communication mode, the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 of the first switching unit 30 and the fourth switch S4 and the fifth switch S5 of the second switching unit 50 are all It is in a closed state, and the diagnosis control unit 80 operates so that the third switch (S3) and the sixth switch (S6) are in an open state.

The first to sixth switches and the first to sixth modem switches described above may all be switching elements such as transistors or a combination of switching elements.

Parallel data of the data processor 10 is converted into serial data in the UART 20 and transmitted to the transceiver 40 through the first transmission channel (Tx1), and the transceiver 40 converts it into data suitable for the standard. is transmitted to the connector 60 through the second transmission channel (Tx2), and serial data is transmitted to the communication device of the communication counterpart connected to the connector 60.

Conversely, the received data received from the communication device on the other side of communication is input to the receiving end of the transceiver 40 through the connector 60 and the second receive channel Rx2, and the transceiver 40 is serially processed by the UART 20. It is converted into data and provided to the receiving end of the UART 20 through the first receiving channel Rx1.

The UART 20 converts the received serial data into parallel data and provides it to the data processor 10.

In this communication mode, the data processing unit 10 controls the diagnosis control unit 80 to perform the diagnosis mode according to the set time or the user's execution command, so that the first switching unit 30 and the second The state of the switching unit 50 is switched.

Also, by transmitting and receiving a modem signal, it is confirmed to the communication counterpart device that data transmission between a plurality of devices is possible.

The diagnosis control unit 80 may include a plurality of gate driving circuits. The signal for switching the switching state at this time may be made according to the execution of the diagnostic program stored in the storage unit 70 .

The diagnostic program defines the switching states of the first to third switches S1 to S3 of the first switching unit 30 in the first diagnosis mode described above, and the first switching unit 30 and the first switching unit 30 in the second diagnosis mode. A switching state of the second switching unit 50 is defined.

In addition, the data processing unit 10 transmits the diagnostic data stored in the storage unit 70 as transmission data.

Diagnosis data is original data for error detection, and it is possible to check whether or not there is an error by comparing regression data of the diagnosis data processed by the UART 20 or the transceiver 40 with the original data.

In this case, the regression data and the original data are compared in units of bytes based on an ASCII character string, thereby improving diagnosis speed and increasing efficiency.

Diagnostic data is assumed to be a character string repeated with a rule.

9 is a block diagram for explaining the first diagnosis mode.

The first diagnosis mode is for diagnosing the performance of the UART 20. The data processing unit 10 provides the diagnostic data stored in the storage unit 70 to the UART 20 in parallel, and the UART 20 provides parallel diagnostic data. is converted into serial diagnostic data and output through the first transmission channel (Tx1). At this time, the diagnosis control unit 80 closes the third switch S3 of the first switching unit 30 and opens the first and second switches S1 and S2 under the control of the data processing unit 10 to transmit the first signal. The channel Tx1 and the first receive channel Rx1 are connected to each other.

Therefore, the serial diagnostic data transmitted from the UART 20 returns to the receiving end of the UART 20, and the UART 20 converts the serial diagnostic data received back into parallel data and provides it to the data processing unit 10. .

As described above, the data processing unit 10 compares the initial diagnosis data with the diagnostic data received back to confirm whether or not they are normal.

In this process, diagnostic data is transmitted from the lowest configurable baud rate of the UART 20 to the maximum baud rate, and the diagnostic data returned and received are compared.

In addition, the modem signal transmitted through the first modem transmission channel (TMx1) of the UART (20) is also returned and received through the first modem reception channel (RMx1) through the third modem switch (SM3) to check whether the modem signal is normal. will check

In the present invention, the modem signal is shown and described in a simplified manner, but it may include CTS (Clear To Send), DSR (Data Set Ready), and the like.

This may be applied variably according to the field to which the serial communication device of the present invention is applied.

Through this process, the present invention can diagnose the performance of the UART (20). A diagnosis result of the UART 20 may be displayed on the display unit 90 . The display unit 90 may include an LED for simple confirmation and may be a display device displaying a transmission/reception error rate of diagnostic data. The display device at this time may be a display of a computing device to which the present invention is applied.

The display unit 90 can display the diagnosis result of the UART 20 and the diagnosis result of the transmission/reception unit 40 by the second diagnosis mode described below.

10 is an explanatory diagram of a second diagnosis mode.

The second diagnosis mode is executed after the first diagnosis mode is executed, and in particular, it is assumed that the performance of the UART 20 is not abnormal.

In the second diagnosis mode, the transceiver 40 is diagnosed. The data processing unit 10 provides the diagnostic data stored in the storage unit 70 to the UART 20 in parallel, and the UART 20 transmits the parallel diagnostic data. It is converted into serial diagnostic data and output to the transceiver 40 through the first transmission channel (Tx1). At this time, the diagnosis control unit 80 opens the third switch S3 of the first switching unit 30 and closes the first and second switches S1 and S2 under the control of the data processing unit 10 to transmit the first signal. The UART 20 and the transceiver 40 are connected through the channel Tx1 and the first receive channel Rx1.

In addition, in order to transmit the modem signal, the first modem switch SM1 and the second modem switch SM2 are closed, and the third modem switch SM3 is opened to form the first modem transmission channel TMx1 and the first modem reception channel (TMx1). UART 20 and transceiver 40 are connected by RMx1).

In addition, the diagnosis controller 80 closes the sixth switch S6 of the second switching unit 50 and opens the fourth switch S4 and the fifth switch S5 to transmit data through the second transmission channel Tx2. The data to be received is returned to the transceiver 40 through the second receive channel Rx2.

In order to return the modem signal, the sixth modem switch (SM6) is closed to connect the second modem transmission channel (TMx2) to the second modem reception channel (RMx2) so that the modem signal is returned and received.

The diagnostic data converted into serial data in the UART 20 is converted into serial data capable of relatively long-distance transmission through the transceiver 40, transmitted through the second transmission channel Tx2, and the second reception channel ( Regression is received through Rx2).

The diagnostic data received by regression are converted into parallel data through the UART 20 and provided to the data processor 10, and the data processor 10 diagnoses the performance of the transceiver 40.

Since the diagnosis method at this time is the same as that of the UART 20, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the execution of the diagnostic program according to the present invention, it is possible to easily detect abnormal function blocks by diagnosing each of the UART 20 and the transceiver 40 by dividing the diagnostic mode.

11 is a block diagram of a serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, compared to FIG. 1, the second switching unit 50 is omitted and serial data is transmitted by connecting the transmission channel and the reception channel of the transmission and reception unit 40 using the internal configuration of the transmission and reception unit 40. Regression can be received.

Specifically, the diagnosis control unit 80 turns on the control pin (DE, Driver Enable) of the transmission channel and the control pin (RE#, Receiver Enable) of the reception channel, respectively, to transfer the data of the transmission channel to the reception channel in the transmission/reception unit 40. can be forwarded to

The serial data received as a regression is provided to the data processing unit 10 through the UART 20, and diagnosis is performed.

Since the diagnosis process at this time has been described in detail above, it will be omitted.

12 is a block diagram of a serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second switching unit 50 is used, but only the switch SW1 connecting the transmission channel and the reception channel of the transmission and reception unit 40 can be used.

When the switch SW1 is closed, a loop is formed between the transmission channel and the reception channel of the transceiver 40, and serial data of the transmission channel can be returned to and received through the reception channel.

This configuration can relatively simplify the control configuration of the diagnostic controller 80 by reducing the number of switches.

Embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, but these are merely examples, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and embodiments of equivalent range are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims.

10: data processing unit 20: universal asynchronous transceiver (UART)
30: first switching unit 40: transmission and reception unit
50: second switching unit 60: connector
70: storage unit 80: diagnosis control unit
90: display part

Claims (7)

a data processing unit that selectively transmits transmission data or diagnostic data and performs a diagnosis mode;
a UART for converting the transmission data of the data processor into serial data and converting the received data into parallel data;
a first switching unit selectively returning the diagnostic data converted in the UART to a receiving end of the UART;
a storage unit for storing diagnostic software and the diagnostic data for performing the diagnostic mode of the data processing unit; and
An asynchronous serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function including a diagnosis control unit controlling a switching state of the first switching unit according to execution of the diagnosis software. a data processing unit that selectively transmits transmission data or diagnostic data and performs a diagnosis mode;
a UART for converting the transmission data of the data processor into serial data and converting the received data into parallel data;
a transceiver for receiving transmission data, converting and transmitting the data according to a serial communication method, and receiving and providing the received data to the UART;
a second switching unit that selectively returns the diagnostic data converted by the transceiver to a receiving end of the transceiver;
a storage unit for storing diagnostic software and the diagnostic data for performing the diagnostic mode of the data processing unit; and
An asynchronous serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function including a diagnosis control unit controlling a switching state of the second switching unit according to execution of the diagnosis software. According to claim 1,
a transmission/reception unit that receives transmission data through the first switching unit, converts it according to a serial communication method, and outputs the data to a connector; and
The asynchronous serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function further comprising a second switching unit for connecting a transmission channel and a reception channel of the transmission and reception unit according to the switching control of the diagnosis control unit in a diagnosis mode. According to claim 3,
The diagnostic software executed in the diagnostic control unit,
A switch control function for controlling the first switching unit or the second switching unit;
Including a data transmission and reception function for transmitting and receiving diagnostic data,
An asynchronous serial communication device having a self-diagnostic function, characterized by being built into the driver or firmware. According to claim 4,
The diagnostic software,
An asynchronous serial communication device with a self-diagnosis function that further includes a communication setting change function that automatically changes communication settings. According to claim 4,
The diagnostic software,
An asynchronous serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function, further comprising a success rate determining function for transmitting the diagnostic data and comparing the received diagnostic data to determine a communication success rate. According to claim 4,
The diagnostic software,
Communication setting change function to automatically change communication settings; and
An asynchronous serial communication device having a self-diagnosis function, further comprising a success rate determining function for transmitting the diagnostic data and comparing the received diagnostic data to determine a communication success rate.

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