KR101677765B1 - Network system and energy consumption component - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an energy consuming part. An energy consumption unit according to one aspect includes communication means for receiving information related to an electricity bill; And an input unit having a smart reservation button for selecting a smart mode for reducing the electricity bill. When the operation mode is selected and the smart mode is selected, And an operating mode selected in an off peak period in which the electricity rate is the lowest or the electricity rate is the predetermined reference value or less is performed.

Description

Network system and energy consumption component

The present invention relates to a network system and an energy consumption unit.

Suppliers simply supply energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas, and demanders simply use the supplied energy sources. Therefore, effective management in terms of energy production, distribution, or energy use is difficult to perform. Therefore, a network system for effectively managing energy is required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a network system and an energy consumption unit capable of effectively managing an energy source.

An energy consumption unit according to one aspect includes: communication means for receiving information related to an electricity bill; And an input unit having a smart reservation button for selecting a smart mode for reducing the electricity bill. When the operation mode is selected and the smart mode is selected, And an operating mode selected in an off peak period in which the electricity rate is the lowest or the electricity rate is the predetermined reference value or less is performed.

A network system according to another aspect includes: an energy generating unit that generates energy; The energy consuming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which consumes energy generated in the energy generating unit. And an energy measuring unit for obtaining energy consumption information in the energy consuming unit.
According to another aspect, the energy consuming unit includes: communication means for transmitting or receiving energy information including electricity rate information or information other than electric fee; And an input unit having a restriction button for selecting an operation time limit, a selection unit for selecting an operation mode, an operation button for starting operation, a smart reservation button for selecting a smart mode for reducing electricity bill, , When the operation mode is selected and the smart mode is selected, the operation mode selected at the time when the electric bill is lowest in the time excluding the selected operation limit time or in the off-peak period in which the electric bill is less than the predetermined reference value is performed.

According to the proposed invention, there is an advantage that the electricity rate can be reduced because the electric appliance is operated in a time zone where the electricity rate is minimum or the electricity rate is low under the smart mode.

Further, by setting the time limit, the washing machine is operated at a time outside the time limit, so that the damage to nearby people is reduced due to the operation of the washing machine in the time limit.

In addition, if electric power is used at a time zone where electric charges are low at a consumer site, concentration of electric power demand can be solved, so that electric power providers can efficiently manage electric power demand.

Electricity charges are set so high that electric power demand is high, so that when the electric power consumption is increased at a time when electric charges are low, the concentration of electric power demand can be solved as a result.

1 schematically shows an example of a network system according to the present invention;
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a network system according to the present invention;
3 is a view showing an example of an energy consuming part constituting a home network of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a control panel of the energy consumption part in detail;
5 is a view for explaining a method of setting a time limit according to the first embodiment;
6 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which the energy consuming unit of the first embodiment operates in a smart mode;
7 is a diagram for explaining a method of setting a time limit according to the second embodiment;
8 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which the energy consuming unit of the second embodiment operates in a smart mode;

1 is a schematic view showing an example of a network system according to the present invention.

The network system is a system for managing energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas. The energy source means that the generated amount or the used amount can be measured. Therefore, an energy source not mentioned above can also be included in the management of the present system. Hereinafter, the electricity will be described as an example of the energy source, and the contents of this specification can be similarly applied to other energy sources.

Referring to FIG. 1, the network system of one embodiment includes a power plant that produces electricity. The power plant may include a power plant that generates electricity through thermal power generation or nuclear power generation, and a power plant that uses eco-friendly energy such as hydro, solar, and wind power.

Electricity generated by the power plant is transmitted to a power station through a transmission line, and electricity is transmitted to a substation in a substation so that electricity is distributed to consumers such as a home or an office.

Electricity generated by environmentally friendly energy is also transmitted to the substation and distributed to each customer. Electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed through an electric storage device or directly to the office or each household.

In the home using a home network (HAN, home area network), electric power can be produced, stored, distributed, or distributed through a solar cell or a fuel cell mounted on a PHEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) The remaining electricity can be sent back to the outside (for example, a power company).

In addition, the network system includes a smart meter for real-time monitoring of electricity consumption of a consumer (home or office), an AMI (Advanced Metering infrastructure) for measuring electricity usage of a large number of consumers, May be included. That is, the measurement apparatus can measure the amount of electricity used by receiving information measured by a plurality of smart meters.

In addition, the network system may further include an energy management system (EMS: Energy Management System) for managing energy. The energy management device can generate information about the operation of one or more components in relation to energy (generation, distribution, use, storage, etc.) of the energy. The energy management device may generate at least instructions related to operation of the component.

The function or solution performed by the energy management apparatus in this specification may be referred to as an energy management function or an energy management solution.

In the network system of the present invention, the energy management device may be included in one or more components in a separate configuration, or may be included as an energy management function or solution in one or more components.

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a network system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the network system of the present invention is configured by a plurality of components. For example, power plants, substations, power stations, energy management devices, household appliances, smart meters, capacitors, web servers, measuring devices, and home servers are components of the network system.

Further, in the present invention, each component can be constituted by a plurality of detailed components. For example, when one component is a household appliance, a microcomputer, a heater, a display, and the like constituting the appliance may be detailed components.

That is, in the present invention, everything that performs a specific function may be a component, and these components constitute the network system of the present invention. And the two components can communicate by communication means.

Further, one network may be a single component or may be composed of a plurality of components.

In this specification, a network system in which communication information is related to an energy source may be referred to as an energy grid.

The network system of one embodiment may be composed of a utility network (UAN) 10 and a home network (HAN) 20. The utility network 10 and the home network 20 can be wired or wirelessly communicated by communication means. For example, the communication means may be a simple communication line or a power line communication means. Of course, the power line communication means may include a communicator (e.g., a modem or the like) connected to each of the two components. As another example, the communication means may be zigbee, wi-fi, and the like.

In the present specification, there is no limitation on a method for wired communication or a method for wireless communication.

In this specification, assumption means a group of specific components such as a building, a company, and the like, as well as assumptions of a dictionary meaning. A utility is a collection of specific components outside the home.

The utility network 10 includes an energy generation component 11 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 12 for distributing or transferring energy, and an energy storage unit An energy storage component 13 for managing energy, an energy management component 14 for managing energy, and an energy metering component 15 for measuring energy related information.

When one or more components of the utility network 10 consume energy, the energy consuming component may be an energy consuming part.

The energy generating unit 11 may be, for example, a power plant. The energy distribution unit 12 distributes or delivers the energy generated by the energy generation unit 11 and / or the energy stored in the energy storage unit 13 to the energy consumption unit 26. The energy distribution unit 12 may be a power transmission unit, a substation, a power station, or the like.

The energy storage unit 13 may be a battery and the energy management unit 14 may include an energy generation unit 11, an energy distribution unit 12, an energy storage unit 13, an energy consumption unit 26). ≪ / RTI > The energy management unit 14 may generate commands related to the operation of at least a specific component.

The energy management unit 14 may be an energy management device. The energy measuring unit 15 may measure information related to energy generation, distribution, use, storage, and the like. For example, the energy measuring unit 15 may be an AMI. The energy management unit 14 may have a separate configuration or may be included as an energy management function in another component.

The utility network 10 may communicate with the home network 20 by a terminal component (not shown). The terminal component may be, for example, a gateway way. These terminal components may be provided in at least one of the utility network 10 and the home network 20. [

In addition, the two components constituting the utility network 10 can communicate by communication means.

The home network 20 includes an energy generation component 21 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 22 for distributing energy, an energy storage component 22 for storing energy, 23, an energy management component 24 for managing energy, an energy metering component 25 for measuring energy related information, and an energy consumption component 26, a central management component 27 for controlling a number of components, and an energy grid assistance component 28. [

The energy generation component 21 may be a household power generator and the energy storage component 23 may be a battery and the energy management component 24 may be an energy management device. The energy metering component 25 may measure information related to energy generation, distribution, use, storage, and the like. For example, the energy metering component 25 may be a smart meter. The energy consuming unit 26 may be, for example, a heater, a motor, a display, or the like, which constitutes a household appliance or a household appliance. It is to be noted that there is no limitation in the kind of the energy consuming section 26 in the present embodiment.

The energy management unit 24 may have a separate configuration or may be included as an energy management function in another component.

The energy generating unit 21, the energy distributing unit 22, and the energy storing unit 23 may be individual components or a single component.

The central management unit 27 may be, for example, a home server for controlling a plurality of appliances.

The energy network auxiliary unit 28 is a component having an original function while performing an additional function for the energy network. For example, the energy network sub-unit may be a web service provisioning (e.g., a computer), a mobile device, a television, and the like.

The two components constituting the home network 20 can be communicated by communication means.

The energy distributing units 12 and 22, the energy storing units 13 and 23, the energy managing units 14 and 24, the energy measuring units 15 and 25, The central management unit 26, and the central management unit 27 may exist independently of each other, or two or more may constitute a single component.

For example, the energy management units 14 and 24, the energy measurement units 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 exist as a single component, and each of the smart meters, the energy management device, Or the energy management units 14 and 24, the energy measurement units 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 may constitute a single unit.

Further, in performing a single function, the functions may be sequentially performed in a plurality of components and / or communication means. For example, an energy management function may be sequentially performed in a separate energy management unit, an energy measurement unit, and an energy consumption unit.

In this network system, a plurality of utility networks 10 can communicate with a single home network 20, and a single utility network 10 can communicate with a plurality of home networks 20.

In addition, a plurality of components of a specific function configuring the utility network and the home network may be provided. For example, the energy generating unit or the energy consuming unit may be plural.

Meanwhile, in the network system of the present invention, a specific component can receive information related to energy (hereinafter referred to as "energy information") by communication means. Further, the specific component may further receive additional information (environment information, status or operation information of other components, time information, etc.) in addition to the energy information by the communication means. At this time, the information can be received from other components. That is, the received information includes at least energy information.

The specific component may be one component that constitutes the utility network 10 or one component that constitutes the home network 20.

The energy information may be one of electricity, water, gas, and the like, as described above.

For example, information relating to electricity includes information other than time-based pricing and electricity rates. The information other than the above electric bill includes energy curtailment, grid emergency, grid reliability, energy amount, operation priority, and the like.

Such information can be divided into scheduled information generated in advance based on previous information and real time information that varies in real time. The schedule information and the real-time information can be classified according to the prediction of the information after the present time (future).

The energy information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean on a network system, an actual price may be transmitted or received, or a plurality of levels may be transmitted and received.

The energy information may be time of use (TOU) information, critical peak pattern (CPP) information, or real time pattern (RTP) information according to a change pattern of data over time.

According to the TOU information, data is changed stepwise according to time. According to the CPP information, the data changes stepwise or real-time with time, and emphasis is displayed at a specific time point. According to the RTP information, data changes in real time.

If the energy information is electricity rate information as an example, the information related to the electricity rate may vary. The electricity bill information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean on a network system, a real price may be transmitted or received, or a plurality of levels may be transmitted and received.

When the specific component receives a true or false signal such as a Boolean, it recognizes one of the signals as an on-peak signal and recognizes the other signal as an off-peak signal have.

Alternatively, a particular component may recognize information about at least one drive that includes the electricity bill, and the specific component compares the recognized information value with a reference information value to determine an on-peak and an off- (off-peak).

For example, when a specific component recognizes leveled information or actual price information, the specific component compares the recognized information value with the reference information value to determine on-peak and off-peak off-peak.

At this time, the information value about the driving may be at least one of an electricity rate, a power rate, a rate of change of the electricity rate, a rate of change of the electric power rate, an average value of the electricity rate and an average value of the electric power amount. The reference information value may be at least one of an average value, an average value of a minimum value and a maximum value of power information during a predetermined section, and a reference change rate of power information during a predetermined section (for example, a slope of power consumption amount per unit time).

The reference information value may be set in real time or set in advance. The reference information value may be set in a utility network or set in a home network (input by a consumer direct input, energy management unit, central management unit, etc.).

If the specific component (for example, the energy consuming unit) recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time point), the output may be set to 0 (stop or stop) and the output may be reduced. And, the output can be recovered or increased as needed. The specific component may determine the driving method in advance before starting the operation, or may change the driving method when the on-peak is recognized after the operation starts.

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (that is, a recognition time point), it maintains the output if it is an operable condition. At this time, the operable condition means that the information value of the driving is below a certain standard. The information value regarding the driving may be information about an electric charge, an amount of power consumption or operation time, and the like. The constant criterion may be a relative value or an absolute value.

The predetermined criteria may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The predetermined criteria may be set in the utility network or in a home network (input by a consumer direct input, energy management unit, central management unit, etc.).

Alternatively, the output may be increased if the particular component recognizes an on-peak (for example, a point-in-time). However, even when the output is increased at the time when the on-peak is recognized, the total output amount during the entire driving period of the specific component can be reduced or maintained to be less than the total output amount when the specific component operates at the normal output. Alternatively, the total power consumption or total electricity charge during the entire drive period of a particular component, even when the output increases at the time when it recognizes the on-peak, is the total power consumed or total It can be reduced than the electricity rate.

If the specific component recognizes an off-peak (for example, a recognition time point), the output can be increased. For example, when the operation reservation is set, a component whose operation starts before a setting time or a component having a large output among a plurality of components can be driven first. Further, in the case of a refrigerator, it is possible to store the hot water by supercooling the output by increasing the output from the existing output, or by driving the heater in advance of the expected time of operation of the heater in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine. Or when a particular component recognizes an off-peak (for example, when it is recognized).

The energy curtailment information is information related to a mode in which the component is stopped or the electricity fee is reduced. The energy reduction information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal, such as a Boolean on a network system.

The emergency information is information related to a power failure or the like, and can be transmitted or received as a true or false signal, for example, as a Boolean. The information related to the power failure or the like is related to the reliability of components using energy.

If the particular component recognizes the emergency information, it may be immediately shut down.

The grid reliability information is information about the amount of electricity supplied or the amount of electric power supplied or information about the quality of electric power. The grid reliability information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean, or an AC power The frequency of the component may be determined.

That is, if the frequency lower than the reference frequency of the AC power supplied to the component is detected, it is determined that the supplied electricity quantity is small. If a frequency higher than the reference frequency of the AC power supply is detected, it can be determined that the supplied electricity quantity is large.

When the specific component recognizes that the amount of electricity is low among the network safety information or recognizes that the electrical quality is not good, the specific component may set the output 0 (stop or stop) Or to maintain the output or to increase the output.

Generated electricity quantity excess information is information about the state in which electricity consumed by a component consuming energy is smaller than that of generating electricity and surplus electricity is generated. For example, it can be transmitted or received as a true or false signal like a Boolean.

When the specific component recognizes the electricity generation amount excess information, the output can be increased. For example, when the operation reservation is set, a component whose operation starts before a setting time or a component having a large output among a plurality of components can be driven first. Further, in the case of a refrigerator, it is possible to store the hot water by supercooling the output by increasing the output from the existing output, or by driving the heater in advance of the expected time of operation of the heater in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of an energy consuming unit constituting the home network of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a control panel of the energy consuming unit in detail.

Fig. 3 shows a washing machine as an example of an energy consuming part. However, the present invention does not limit the kind of the energy consuming part.

3 and 4, the washing machine 30 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 310 having a drum in which laundry is received, a door 320 for opening and closing the drum, And a detergent box 340 for storing the detergent. Further, although not shown, the washing machine 30 includes communication means for transmitting and receiving at least energy-related information.

In detail, the control panel 330 includes a power button 331 for turning on / off the power of the washing machine, an operation button 332 for starting operation of the washing machine, pausing or restarting the operation of the washing machine, A mode selection section 333 (hereinafter referred to as a course selection section) for selecting a mode, a function selection section 335 including a plurality of buttons for selecting a desired function by the user, a function selection section 335 A display unit 340 which can display a selected item, a progress of a corresponding course (mode), a remaining time, and the like, and a control unit for controlling various components and recognizing information related to the electricity rate Not shown).

The function selection unit 335 includes at least a smart reservation button 336 and a restriction button 337. [ A smart mode for operating at a time when the electricity bill is lowest or a time when the electricity bill is inexpensive (off-peak period) can be selected by using the smart reservation button 336. [ That is, the smart mode means a mode for saving electricity or energy.

The time limit for limiting the operation of the washing machine can be input by using the restriction button 337. [

In the present embodiment, the function selecting unit 335, the course selecting unit 333, and the like may be collectively referred to as an input unit.

Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine when the smart reservation button is selected with the time limit set is described.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a method of setting a time limit according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which the energy consuming unit of the first embodiment operates in a smart mode.

Referring to FIG. 5, the user selects a restriction button 337 to input or change a time for limiting the operation of the washing machine (S11). At this time, the time limit may be preset or not set at the time of product production. If a time limit is set in the production of the product, the time limit may be set to be between 0 am and 6 am, for example.

The time limit may be set, for example, to reduce noise that may be generated as the washing machine is operated in the night time zone. That is, when a washing machine is used in a shared residence area, such as an apartment, a multi-family house, or a multi-family house, a time limit may be set so as not to disturb the noise of other households.

Then, a time limit is set using a selection button and / or a movement button (S12). In the present embodiment, there is no limitation on the time limit setting method, and the time limit can be set as a start time and end time, and a plurality of time intervals can be set. In general, the time limit can be set at night time, but can also be set during the day according to the life pattern of the resident.

Next, it is determined whether or not the time except for the set time limit is included in the on-peak period (S13). If all of the times other than the set time limit are not included in the on-peak period, that is, if some of them are included in the off-peak period, the input time is stored in the unshown memory (S14).

On the other hand, if all of the input time-out periods are included in the on-peak period, a re-input request message is generated (S15). For example, a re-entry request message may be displayed on the display unit.

Referring to FIG. 6, the user inputs a specific course for operation of the washing machine (S21). Then, the smart reservation button 336 is selected (S22). Then, the smart mode is set. When the smart mode is set, the washing machine starts operating in the time period with the lowest electric charge out of the set time limit or operates in the off-peak period. At this time, the washing machine operates within the set end time after the smart mode is selected. That is, the washing machine starts operating in the time zone with the lowest electric charge within 12 hours, or operates in the off-peak period, for example.

If the TOU information and the schedule information are received by the washing machine, the controller can determine on-peak and off-peak using the TOU information. Alternatively, the washing machine may receive on-peak and off-peak information from other external components.

On the other hand, when the washing machine receives the TOU information while being real-time information, it stores information to be received and stores on-peak and off- peak (actually on-peak and off-peak predictions). Alternatively, the washing machine may receive on-peak and off-peak information from other external components.

On the other hand, if the current time is included in the time limit when the action button is selected while the time limit is set but the smart mode is not selected, a message is generated to inform that the time limit has been set. For example, the display unit may display a warning message indicating that the time limit is set.

According to the present invention, there is an advantage that the electricity rate can be reduced because the electric power is minimized under the smart mode or the washing machine operates at a time when the electricity rate is low.

In addition, by setting the time limit, the washing machine is operated at a time outside the time limit, so that the noise and the related damage to people nearby can be reduced as the washing machine operates in a limited time.

In addition, if electric power is used at a time zone where electric charges are low at a consumer site, concentration of electric power demand can be solved, so that electric power providers can efficiently manage electric power demand and electric power supply.

Electricity charges are set so high that electric power demand is high, so that when the electric power consumption is increased at a time when electric charges are low, the concentration of electric power demand can be solved as a result.

Although various courses and functions are selected by the function selecting unit and the course selecting unit in the above, the display unit may include a touch screen for selecting various functions by a touch method. In this case, the touch screen functions as an input unit.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a method of setting a time limit according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a process of operating in an energy consuming smart mode of the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the user selects a restriction button to input or change the time at which the washing machine should be operated (S31). In the present embodiment, since the time is input or changed so that the washing machine operates only in a specific section, the settable operable time is referred to as a time limit.

That is, in the first embodiment, the time limit is the operation limit time, and in this embodiment, the time limit is the time to be operated.

At this time, the time limit may be preset or not set at the time of product production. If a time limit is set in the production of the product, the time limit may be set to be between 6 am and 12 pm (or AM o'clock), for example.

The time limit may be set, for example, to reduce noise that may be generated as the washing machine is operated in the night time zone.

Then, a time limit is set using a selection button and / or a movement button (S32). Then, it is determined whether the set time limit is included in the on-peak period (S33). If all of the set time limits are not included in the on-peak period, that is, if some of them are included in the off-peak period, the input time is stored in the memory (S34). On the other hand, if all of the input time limits are included in the on-peak period, a re-input request message is generated (S35). For example, a re-entry request message may be displayed on the display unit.

Referring to FIG. 8, the user inputs a specific course for operation of the washing machine (S41). Then, the smart reservation button is selected (S42). Then, the smart mode is set. When the smart mode is set, the washing machine starts operating in the time period in which the electricity rate is the lowest among the set time limit (operable time), or operates in the off-peak period.

On the other hand, if the operation time is set but the smart mode is not selected and a course is selected and the operation button is selected, if the current time is not included in the operable time, a message is generated to inform that the time limit is set do. For example, the display unit may display a warning message indicating that the time limit is set.

10: utility network 20: home network
26: Energy consumption department

Claims (11)

Communication means for transmitting or receiving energy information including electric charge information or information other than electric charges; And
A selection unit for selecting an operation mode, an operation button for starting an operation, a smart reservation button for selecting a smart mode for reducing an electricity bill, and an input unit having a restriction button for inputting an operation time limit,
When the limit button is selected and the operation limit time is input, it is determined whether or not the time excluding the input operation limit time is included in an on-peak interval in which the electricity rate exceeds a predetermined reference value,
If the input operation time limit is not included in the on-peak period, the input operation limit time is stored in the memory,
Wherein when the operation mode is selected and the smart mode is selected, an operation mode selected in an off-peak period in which the electricity rate is the lowest or the off-peak period in which the electricity rate is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value is performed in the time excluding the operation time limit stored in the memory. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the operation limit time includes a plurality of time intervals. delete The method according to claim 1,
A message is generated to inform that the operation time limit is set if the operation mode is selected while the smart mode is not selected and the operation button is selected and the current time is included in the operation time limit. The method according to claim 1,
An energy consumption part in which a re-input notification message is generated when a time other than the set operation limit time is all included in an on-peak period in which the electricity rate exceeds a predetermined reference value. Communication means for transmitting or receiving energy information including electric charge information or information other than electric charges; And
An input unit having a selection unit for selecting an operation mode, an operation button for starting operation, a smart reservation button for selecting a smart mode for reducing the electricity bill, and a restriction button for inputting an operable time,
When the limit button is selected and the operable time is input, it is determined whether the input operable time is included in an on-peak period in which the electricity rate exceeds a predetermined reference value,
If the input operable time is not included in the on-peak period, the input operable time is stored in the memory,
Wherein when the operation mode is selected and the smart mode is selected, an operation mode selected in an off peak period in which the electricity rate is the lowest within the operable time stored in the memory or the electricity rate is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value is performed. delete The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the reset notification message is generated when all of the input operable time is included in the on-peak period. The method according to claim 6,
A message is generated to inform the user when the operation mode is selected when the smart mode is not selected and the operation button is selected and the current time corresponds to a time outside the operable time. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein when the smart mode is selected, the selected operation mode is performed within a set end time. An energy generating unit for generating energy;
The energy consuming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which consumes energy generated in the energy generating unit. And
And an energy measurement unit capable of obtaining energy consumption information in the energy consumption unit.

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