JP2006138710A - Vehicle meter device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter system for vehicles which is capable of indicating so as to match more the sense of a driver. <P>SOLUTION: The system comprises a running velocity detecting means 16 for detecting the running velocity of the car, an indicating means 13 for indicating at least the detected running velocity, an indication control means 20 for controlling the indicating means 13, and an acceleration detecting means 21 for detecting the acceleration of the car. The indication control means 20 changes control values to the indicating means 13 based on the detection results of the acceleration detecting means 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle meter device capable of displaying in accordance with a driver's feeling.

As a technology related to a vehicle meter device, a speed sensor that detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle, a speed meter that displays the traveling speed detected by the speed sensor, and a control unit that controls the speed meter are provided. Some change the responsiveness of the speedometer display update accordingly. Specifically, in this vehicle meter device, in order to prevent flickering of the display at high speed while responding to the speed change that often occurs at low speed, the display update response is improved at low speed, while the display is displayed at high speed. Is controlled so as to reduce the update responsiveness (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-14647

  However, if the responsiveness of the display update is changed according to the vehicle speed as described above, the responsiveness is lowered particularly when the speed change is large during high-speed traveling. When such a situation occurs, the display does not match the driver's feeling, which makes the driver feel uncomfortable.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular meter device that can perform a display more suited to a driver's feeling.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a travel speed detection means for detecting the travel speed of the host vehicle (for example, the vehicle speed sensor 16 in the embodiment) and a display means for displaying at least the detected travel speed. In a vehicle meter device (for example, the vehicle meter device 11 in the embodiment) including (for example, the display device 13 in the embodiment) and a display control unit (for example, the display control unit 20 in the embodiment) that controls the display unit. Acceleration detection means (for example, the acceleration calculation unit 21 in the embodiment) for detecting the acceleration of the own vehicle is provided, and the display control means changes a control value for the display means based on a detection result of the acceleration detection means. It is a feature.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the display control means changes the control value of the display update interval for the display means based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means. It is a feature.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display control means changes a brightness control value for the display means based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means. It is said.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the display control means controls a display color control value for the display means based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means. It is characterized by changing.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display means digitally displays numerical values, and the display control means is detected by the acceleration detection means. The control value of the numerical display size for the display unit is changed based on the acceleration.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the display unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display means digitally displays numerical values, and the display control means is detected by the acceleration detection means. The control value of the numerical display position for the display unit is changed based on the acceleration.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display control means includes a control map having a control value corresponding to the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means, The control map assigns a first control value in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is less than a first predetermined value that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed running state, while the absolute value of acceleration is greater than the first predetermined value. A second control value is assigned in a region greater than or equal to a second predetermined value, and further, in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the first predetermined value is assigned. And a control value on a characteristic line that smoothly changes according to a change in acceleration between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the acceleration detecting means detects the acceleration of the own vehicle, the display control means changes the control value for the display means based on the acceleration that is the detection result. The display on the speed display means can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, for example, when the speed change is large regardless of the travel speed range, it is possible to improve the responsiveness of the display update, and it is possible to perform a display more suited to the driver's feeling.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the display control means changes the control value of the display update interval for the display means based on the acceleration that is the detection result of the acceleration detection means. The update interval of display on the means can be changed according to acceleration, that is, speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, for example, when the speed change is large, the display update responsiveness is enhanced to improve the display followability to the actual vehicle speed, while when the speed change is small, the display update response is enhanced. For example, it is possible to perform display with less flickering and the like.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the display control means changes the brightness control value for the display means based on the acceleration that is the detection result of the acceleration detection means. The brightness of the display can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, for example, when the speed change is large, it is possible to increase the brightness and improve the visibility.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the display control means changes the display color control value for the display means based on the acceleration that is the detection result of the acceleration detection means. The display color of the display can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, for example, when the speed change is large, it is possible to call attention by changing the display color.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the display control means changes the control value of the numerical display size for the display means for digitally displaying the numerical value based on the acceleration that is the detection result of the acceleration detecting means. The display size of the numerical value on the traveling speed display means can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, for example, the display size can be increased during acceleration when the speed change is large to improve visibility, or conversely the display size can be reduced during acceleration when the speed change is large to improve the feeling of acceleration. It becomes possible.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the display control means changes the control value of the numerical display position for the display means for digitally displaying the numerical value based on the acceleration that is the detection result of the acceleration detection means. The display position of the numerical value on the traveling speed display means can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, for example, the display position is set to the upper side during acceleration with a large speed change, while the display position is set to the lower side during deceleration with a large speed change.

  According to the invention of claim 7, the control map assigns the first control value in the region where the absolute value of the acceleration is less than the first predetermined value that can be regarded as the substantially constant speed running state, while the absolute value of the acceleration is A second control value is assigned to an area that is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value. Further, in an area where the absolute value of acceleration is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value. Since the control value on the characteristic line that smoothly changes according to the change in acceleration is assigned between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value, it is continuously smooth even under a situation where the acceleration changes. The display can be changed. Therefore, it becomes easy for the driver to intuitively grasp the degree of change in acceleration from the degree of change in display, and as a result, the driver can easily adjust the traveling speed of the vehicle to an arbitrary vehicle speed.

A vehicle meter device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The vehicle meter device 11 according to the present embodiment controls a display (display means, display unit) 13 that is arranged on the instrument panel 12 of the vehicle and displays mainly for the driver, and the display of the display 13. And a vehicle speed sensor (traveling speed detecting means) 16 for detecting the traveling speed of the host vehicle provided in the transmission 15.

  The display 13 has a speedometer unit 17 that displays at least the traveling speed of the host vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor 16. The numerical value of the traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 16 is digitally displayed on the speedometer unit 17. To do. The display device 13 including the speedometer unit 17 can arbitrarily change the display size and position of the numerical values, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal element.

  The vehicle speed sensor 16 detects the rotation of a gear (not shown) in the transmission 15 that rotates at a speed corresponding to the traveling speed of the host vehicle, for example, by using a hall element incorporated therein, and converts it into an electrical signal. Data is output to the control unit 14.

  The control unit 14 calculates from the display control unit (display control means) 20 that controls the display of the display 13 including the speedometer unit 17 and the traveling speed of the host vehicle calculated from the detection data of the vehicle speed sensor 16. And an acceleration calculation unit (acceleration detection means) 21 for detecting the acceleration of the host vehicle.

  Then, the display control unit 20 of the control unit 14 displays the traveling speed of the host vehicle calculated from the detection data of the vehicle speed sensor 16 on the speedometer unit 17 of the display 13. Based on the calculation result of the unit 21, that is, the detection result of the acceleration, the control value of the control for the speedometer unit 17 is changed. As the control value change control, at least one of the following first to fifth controls is performed, and these first to fifth controls can be appropriately selectively combined. ing.

  In the first control, the display control unit 20 changes the control value of the display update interval (display switching time) for the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21. That is, the display control unit 20 has a control map of the display update interval control value corresponding to each acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21, and the update interval control value assigned in this control map. The traveling speed displayed on the speedometer unit 17 is updated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, this control map has a first control value (for example, 1 second) in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is less than a first predetermined value (for example, 0.05 G) that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed traveling state. ) In the region where the absolute value of the acceleration is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value (for example, 0.3 G) that is larger than the first predetermined value, the second control value (for example, 0) that is shorter than the first control value. 2 seconds), and the acceleration changes between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value in a region where the absolute value of the acceleration is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value. In response, a control value on the characteristic line that changes smoothly and proportionally is assigned.

  That is, when the absolute value of the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculating unit 21 is less than 0.05 G that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed traveling state, the display control unit 20 displays the traveling of the host vehicle displayed on the speedometer unit 17. The flickering of the display is prevented by increasing the speed update interval to 1 second. At this time, the display control unit 20 causes the speedometer unit 17 to display the traveling speed of the host vehicle calculated from the detection data of the vehicle speed sensor 16 at each time point every second.

  Further, the display control unit 20 causes the speedometer unit 17 to display when the absolute value of the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21 is 0.3 G or more that can be regarded as a sudden acceleration traveling state or a sudden deceleration traveling state. The responsiveness of the display with respect to the speed change is enhanced by shortening the update interval of the traveling speed of the own vehicle to 0.2 seconds. At this time, the display control unit 20 causes the speedometer unit 17 to display the traveling speed of the host vehicle calculated from the detection data of the vehicle speed sensor 16 at each time point every 0.2 seconds.

  Furthermore, when the absolute value of the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculating unit 21 is in the above state, the display control unit 20 sets an update interval of the traveling speed of the host vehicle displayed on the speedometer unit 17. An update interval of 1 second when the absolute value of acceleration is 0.05 G and an update interval of 0.2 second when the absolute value of acceleration is 0.3 G so that the update interval decreases as the absolute value of acceleration increases. Allocate an update interval on a proportionally connected characteristic line. At this time, the display control unit 20 causes the speedometer unit 17 to display the traveling speed of the host vehicle calculated from the detection data of the vehicle speed sensor 16 at each time point for each assigned update interval. As a result, the larger the absolute value of acceleration, that is, the speed change, the shorter the update interval of the display of the traveling speed of the host vehicle, and the higher the response.

  In the second control, the display control unit 20 changes the display luminance control value for the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21. That is, although not shown, the display control unit 20 has a control map of display luminance control values corresponding to each acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21, and the luminance control assigned in the control map is displayed. The brightness of the display of the traveling speed of the vehicle on the speedometer unit 17 is changed by the value.

  In the control map, in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is less than a first predetermined value that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed traveling state, a first control value that controls the display of the traveling speed of the vehicle to a low luminance is assigned. In a region where the absolute value of the acceleration is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value, a second control value that controls the display of the traveling speed of the host vehicle to a brightness higher than the first control value is assigned. . Further, in a region where the absolute value of the acceleration is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, it is smooth according to the change in acceleration between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. By assigning a control value on a characteristic line that changes proportionally, the brightness of the display of the traveling speed of the vehicle increases as the absolute value of acceleration, that is, the change in speed increases.

  In the third control, the display control unit 20 changes the display color control value for display on the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21. In other words, the display control unit 20 has a control map of display color control values corresponding to each acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21 (not shown), and the display color control assigned in this control map is controlled. The display color of the display of the traveling speed of the vehicle on the speedometer unit 17 is changed by the value.

  This control map is a first control value for controlling the display color of the traveling speed of the host vehicle to the first predetermined color in an area where the absolute value of the acceleration is less than a first predetermined value that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed traveling state. In a region where the absolute value of acceleration is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value, a second control value for controlling the display color of the traveling speed of the vehicle to the second predetermined color is set. assign. Further, in a region where the absolute value of the acceleration is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, it is smooth according to the change in acceleration between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. By assigning a control value on a characteristic line that changes proportionally, the higher the absolute value of acceleration, that is, the speed change, the closer the display color of the traveling speed of the vehicle is to the second predetermined color.

  In the fourth control, the display control unit 20 changes the control value of the numerical display size for the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21. That is, although not shown, the display control unit 20 has a control map of display size control values corresponding to each acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21, and controls the display size assigned in this control map. The display size of the display (numerical value) of the traveling speed of the vehicle on the speedometer unit 17 is changed by the value.

  In the control map, in the region where the absolute value of acceleration is less than a first predetermined value that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed traveling state, the display size of the traveling speed of the host vehicle is set to the first predetermined value as shown in the center of FIG. While the first control value to be controlled is assigned to the size, in the area where the acceleration is 0 or more (that is, acceleration) and the absolute value of the acceleration is greater than the first predetermined value or more, the own vehicle As shown in the right side of FIG. 3, a second control value for controlling the display size of the traveling speed to a second predetermined size larger than the first predetermined size is assigned. Further, in a region where the acceleration is 0 or more and the absolute value is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the acceleration varies between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. More specifically, a control value on a characteristic line that changes proportionally is assigned, and the larger the absolute value of acceleration, that is, the speed change, the larger the display size of the traveling speed of the host vehicle, and the second predetermined size. Control to be close to.

  On the other hand, in the control map, in the area where the acceleration is less than 0 (that is, deceleration) and the absolute value of the acceleration is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value that is larger than the first predetermined value, the display size of the traveling speed of the vehicle is displayed. As shown on the left side of FIG. 3, a third control value for controlling the third predetermined size smaller than the first predetermined size is assigned. Further, in a region where the acceleration is less than 0 and the absolute value is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the acceleration varies between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. More specifically, a control value on a characteristic line that changes proportionally is assigned, and the larger the absolute value of acceleration, that is, the speed change, the smaller the display size of the traveling speed of the host vehicle, and the third predetermined size. Control to be close to.

  In contrast to the above, the second predetermined size may be set smaller than the first predetermined size, and the third predetermined size may be set larger than the first predetermined size.

  In the fifth control, the display control unit 20 changes the control value of the numerical display position for the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21. That is, although not shown, the display control unit 20 has a control map of display position control values corresponding to each acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculation unit 21, and controls the display position assigned by this control map. The display position of the display (numerical value) of the traveling speed of the vehicle on the speedometer unit 17 is changed by the value.

  In the control map, in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is less than a first predetermined value that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed traveling state, the display position of the traveling speed of the host vehicle is a first predetermined value as shown in the center of FIG. A first control value to be controlled is assigned to a position (specifically, a vertical center position), while a second acceleration is greater than or equal to 0 (that is, acceleration) and the absolute value of acceleration is greater than a first predetermined value. In the region above the predetermined value, a second control value for controlling the display position of the traveling speed of the own vehicle to a second predetermined position above the first predetermined position as shown on the right side of FIG. 4 is assigned. Further, in a region where the acceleration is 0 or more and the absolute value is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the acceleration varies between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. More specifically, a control value on a characteristic line that changes proportionally is assigned, and the larger the absolute value of acceleration, that is, the speed change, the higher the absolute value of the acceleration, that is, the display position of the traveling speed of the host vehicle is shifted upward. Control it closer to the position.

  On the other hand, in the control map, in the area where the acceleration is less than 0 (that is, deceleration) and the absolute value of the acceleration is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value that is larger than the first predetermined value, the display size of the traveling speed of the host vehicle is displayed. As shown on the left side of FIG. 4, a third control value is assigned to control the third predetermined position below the first predetermined position. Further, in a region where the acceleration is less than 0 and the absolute value is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the acceleration varies between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value. More specifically, a control value on a characteristic line that changes proportionally is assigned, and as the absolute value of acceleration, that is, the change in speed increases, the display position of the traveling speed of the own vehicle is shifted downward to the third position. Control to be close to a predetermined position.

  According to the vehicle meter device 11 of the present embodiment described above, based on the traveling speed of the host vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor 16 by performing at least one of the first to fifth controls. The acceleration calculation unit 21 of the control unit 14 calculates the acceleration of the own vehicle, and the display control unit 20 changes the control value for the speedometer unit 17 of the display 13 based on the acceleration that is the calculation result. The display of the traveling speed of the vehicle on the speedometer unit 17 can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, it is possible to perform a display more suited to the driver's feeling.

  Specifically, if the first control is performed, the display control unit 20 changes the control value of the display update interval for the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration that is the calculation result of the acceleration calculation unit 21. The update interval of the display of the traveling speed of the car on the speedometer unit 17 can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, when the speed change is large as described above, the responsiveness of the display update is improved to improve the display followability with respect to the actual vehicle speed, while when the speed change is small, the display It is possible to display with less flicker by reducing the update responsiveness.

  If the second control is performed, the display control unit 20 changes the brightness control value for the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration that is the calculation result of the acceleration calculation unit 21, so the speedometer of the traveling speed of the vehicle The luminance of display on the unit 17 can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, when the speed change is large as described above, the brightness can be increased and the visibility can be improved.

  If the third control is performed, the display control unit 20 changes the control value of the display color for the speedometer unit 17 based on the acceleration that is the calculation result of the acceleration calculation unit 21, so the speed of the traveling speed of the host vehicle is increased. The display color of the display on the meter unit 17 can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, when the speed change is large as described above, it is possible to call attention by changing the display color.

  If the fourth control is performed, the display control unit 20 changes the control value of the display size of the numerical value for the speedometer unit 17 that digitally displays the numerical value based on the acceleration that is the calculation result of the acceleration calculation unit 21. The display size of the numerical value displayed on the speedometer unit 17 of the traveling speed of the car can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, the display size is increased at the time of acceleration with a large speed change as described above to improve visibility, and conversely the display size is reduced at the time of acceleration with a large speed change to improve the feeling of acceleration. be able to.

  If the fifth control is performed, the display control unit 20 changes the control value of the display position of the numerical value for the speedometer unit 17 that digitally displays the numerical value based on the acceleration that is the calculation result of the acceleration calculation unit 21. The display position of the value of the traveling speed of the car on the speedometer unit 17 can be changed according to the acceleration, that is, the speed change. Therefore, regardless of the travel speed range, the display position can be set to the upper side during acceleration with a large speed change as described above, while the display position can be set to the lower side during deceleration with a large speed change to improve visibility.

  Moreover, in any of the first to fifth controls, the control map assigns a first control value in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is less than a first predetermined value that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed running state, while acceleration A second control value is assigned to a region where the absolute value of the acceleration is greater than the first predetermined value and greater than or equal to the second predetermined value, and the absolute value of the acceleration is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value. In this area, a control value on the characteristic line that smoothly changes according to the change in acceleration between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value is assigned, so that even in a situation where the acceleration changes, it is continuous. Display can be changed smoothly. Therefore, it becomes easy for the driver to intuitively grasp the degree of change in acceleration from the degree of change in display, and as a result, the driver can easily adjust the traveling speed of the vehicle to an arbitrary vehicle speed.

  In addition, instead of the acceleration calculation unit 21 that detects the acceleration of the host vehicle by calculating based on the traveling speed of the host vehicle calculated from the detection data of the vehicle speed sensor 16, an acceleration detection unit (such as an acceleration sensor that directly detects the acceleration) ( (Acceleration detecting means) may be provided, and further, an acceleration detected by at least one of them may be used in combination.

It is a block diagram showing roughly the composition of the meter device for vehicles of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the control map used by the 1st control in the meter apparatus for vehicles of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows switching of the display by 4th control in the meter apparatus for vehicles of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows switching of the display by 5th control in the meter apparatus for vehicles of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Vehicle Meter Device 13 Display (Display Means)
16 Vehicle speed sensor (travel speed detection means)
20 Display control unit (display control means)
21 Acceleration calculation unit (acceleration detection means)

Claims (7)

Traveling speed detecting means for detecting the traveling speed of the own vehicle;
Display means for displaying at least the detected traveling speed;
In a vehicle meter device comprising display control means for controlling the display means,
Acceleration detecting means for detecting the acceleration of the own vehicle,
The vehicle meter device characterized in that the display control means changes a control value for the display means based on a detection result of the acceleration detection means.   The vehicle meter device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means changes a control value of a display update interval for the display means based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means.   The vehicle meter device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes a control value of luminance for the display unit based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit.   The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit changes a control value of a display color for the display unit based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit. Meter device. The display means is a display unit for digitally displaying numerical values;
The said display control means changes the control value of the numerical display size with respect to the said display part based on the acceleration detected by the said acceleration detection means, The Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle meter device. The display means is a display unit for digitally displaying numerical values;
The said display control means changes the control value of the numerical display position with respect to the said display part based on the acceleration detected by the said acceleration detection means, The Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle meter device. The display control means includes a control map having a control value corresponding to the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means,
The control map assigns a first control value in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is less than a first predetermined value that can be regarded as a substantially constant speed running state, while the absolute value of acceleration is greater than the first predetermined value. A second control value is assigned in a region greater than or equal to a second predetermined value, and further, in a region where the absolute value of acceleration is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value, the first predetermined value is assigned. The vehicle meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a control value on a characteristic line that smoothly changes according to a change in acceleration between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value is assigned. .

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