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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices for monitoring vehicle
conditions and, more particularly, to devices especially adapted for
vehicle conditions when the vehicle is in motion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When vehicles are in motion a number of hazardous conditions can develop as
a result of the motion. For example, the rubber material that is used for
recapping a tire can become loose, can tear, and can fly off of the tire
during vehicle motion. Bad wheel bearings can undergo failure during
vehicle motion. Loose universal joints can undergo failure during vehicle
motion. Unfortunately, the serious, potentially hazardous conditions
described above often do not reveal themselves until after a serious and
often dangerous consequence has been manifested. More specifically, one
may not become aware of a recapped tire problem until the recapped rubber
flies off of the tire. One may not become award of defective wheel
bearings until the wheel bearings undergo failure. One may not become
aware of a defective universal joint until the universal joint fails.
In view of the above, it would be desirable if a device were provided that
could detect looseness of the recapping material on a recapped tire before
the recapping material flies off of the tire. Also, it would be desirable
if a device could be provided which detects the presence of defective
wheel bearings before the wheel bearings undergo failure. In addition, it
would be desirable if a device could be provided which detects the
presence of defective universal joints before the universal joints undergo
failure.
Among the motor vehicles on the road, trucks haul large quantities of goods
from place to place. The trucking industry loses large amounts of money
and time because of breakdowns due to unexpected failures of recapped
fires, wheel beatings, and universal joints. Loses of time an money can be
related to time and costs of towing, time and costs of repairs at
locations away from a home base, and spoilage of perishable products.
Loses of time and money could be significantly reduced if defective
conditions could be detected before failure results. Also, loses of time
and money could be significantly reduced if defective conditions could be
repaired at a home base between trips, not in the middle of a trip. In
this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided which
detects certain defects in a motor vehicle so that repairs can be made
between trips.
A motor vehicle in general, and a truck or tractor trailer in particular,
is a very complex piece of machinery that requires a great deal of
knowledge and expertise to maintain and repair. Similarly, driving a truck
or tractor trailer requires a special combination of knowledge and
expertise. As a result, a motor vehicle mechanic is often not a truck
driver, and a truck driver is often not a motor vehicle mechanic. This
being the case, there are a number of potentially dangerous mechanical
conditions that a truck or tractor trailer may have that a truck driver is
not aware of. Yet, the truck driver is most at risk if such potentially
dangerous conditions develop into actual mechanical failures. In this
respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided which enables a
truck driver to be aware of potentially dangerous motor vehicle conditions
as the truck or tractor trailer is being driven.
In general, trucks or tractor trailers currently in use possess indicator
lights or gauges that signal a driver relating to such conditions as oil
pressure, engine temperature, engine speed, fuel level, battery power, and
brake pressure. However, trucks or tractor trailers currently in use do
not possess indicators that signal a driver relating to such conditions as
tire recap condition, wheel bearing condition, and universal joint
condition. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were
provided that readily retrofits current motor vehicles to monitor and
signal a driver with respect to such conditions as tire recap condition,
wheel bearing condition, and universal joint condition.
The detection and signalling of diverse potentially hazardous conditions in
a moving motor vehicle may require diverse sensing and signalling systems.
More specifically, to monitor the three conditions of tire recap
condition, wheel bearing condition, and universal joint condition would
seem to require three separate monitoring and detection systems. However,
to retrofit a currently in use motor vehicle with three separate
monitoring and detection systems may be to great a financial and technical
burden. In this respect, it would be desirable if a single monitoring and
signalling device were provided which simultaneously monitors the three
conditions of tire recap condition, wheel bearing condition, and universal
joint condition.
A tractor trailer that is commonly referred to as an 18 wheeler literally
has 18 wheels. Eight wheels are on the trailer; and ten wheels are on the
tractor with two wheels at the front of the tractor and eight wheels at
the rear of the tractor. It would be unacceptably burdensome for eighteen
separate monitors to be provided for monitoring the condition of recapped
tires. Instead, it would be practical for a designated monitor to
simultaneously monitor a plurality of wheels. For example, it would be
desirable for one monitor assembly to monitor the four left wheels on the
trailer. A second monitor assembly could monitor the four right wheels on
the trailer. A third monitor assembly could monitor the four rear right
wheels of the tractor; and a fourth monitor assembly could monitor the
four rear left wheels of the tractor. It would be desirable for a second
monitor to monitor the eight rear wheels of the tractor.
Throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating
to monitoring certain motor vehicle conditions, and the following U.S.
patents are representative of some of those innovations: U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,087,783; and 4,574,490. Neither of these patents permit a driver to
monitor the motor vehicle conditions of tire recap condition, wheel
bearing condition, and universal joint condition.
In retrofitting current trucks and tractor trailers with monitoring
assemblies that can monitor the conditions of tire recap condition, wheel
bearing condition, and universal joint condition, it would be desirable to
avoid running wires from the monitored sites to the tractor cab in which
the driver sits. In this respect, it would be deskable if a monitoring
device were provided for monitoring tire recap condition, wheel bearing
condition, and universal joint condition that does not require wires
running from monitoring assemblies to the driver of the motor vehicle.
Generally speaking, the use of radio waves and other waves for wireless
communication from a transmitter to a receiver is well known in the art.
The following U.S. patents, incorporated herein by reference, disclose
exemplary wireless communication systems: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,939,418;
4,876,710; and 5,008,647. None of these patents disclose the use of
wireless communication for communicating potentially hazardous conditions
of a moving motor vehicle to the driver of the motor vehicle. As a matter
of interest, U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,647 discloses a wireless speedometer or
odometer for a bicycle that monitors wheel rotations per se. The wheel
rotation causes signals to be sent per each rotation. The rotation signals
are processed by a computer to indicate time and distance information. No
safety information is either monitored or signalled.
Since a plurality of monitoring and signaling assemblies may be located on
a single tractor trailer, it would be desirable for a driver to be able to
easily select which particular monitoring and signaling assembly the
driver wishes to pay particular attention to. In this respect, it would be
desirable if a device were provided in the cab of a motor vehicle that
readily enables a driver to select a specific monitoring and signaling
assembly to pay particular attention to.
Many signaling systems in a motor vehicle require a driver to take one's
eyes off the road in order to detect the signal. For example, the driver
must look at the temperature gauge, the speedometer, the oil pressure
gauge, the battery gauge, and so forth. To avoid creating more situations
in which the driver must take one's eyes off the road in order to monitor
motor vehicle conditions, it would be desirable if the signal provided to
the driver were an audible signal.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known
to use visual signals for monitored motor vehicle conditions, the prior
art described above does not teach or suggest a vehicle monitoring
apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1)
can detect looseness of recapping material on a recapped tire before the
recapping material flies off of the tire; (2) can detect the presence of
defective wheel bearings before the wheel bearings undergo failure; (3)
can detect the presence of defective universal joints before the universal
joints undergo failure; (4) can detect certain defects in a motor vehicle
so that repairs can be made between scheduled trips as opposed to during a
scheduled trip; (5) enables a truck driver to be aware of potentially
dangerous motor vehicle conditions as the truck or tractor trailer is
being driven; (6) possesses indicators that signal a driver relating to
such conditions as tire recap condition, wheel beating condition, and
universal joint condition; (7) readily retrofits current motor vehicles to
monitor and signal a driver with respect to such conditions as tire recap
condition, wheel bearing condition, and universal joint condition; (8)
provides a single monitoring and signalling device which simultaneously
monitors the three conditions of tire recap condition, wheel bearing
condition, and universal joint condition; (9) employs a single monitoring
assembly to simultaneously monitor a plurality of wheels; (10) does not
require wires running from monitoring assemblies to the driver of the
motor vehicle; (11) readily enables a driver to select a specific
monitoring and signaling assembly to which particular attention can be
paid; and (12) provides a driver of a motor vehicle with an audible signal
for potentially hazardous conditions. The foregoing desired
characteristics are provided by the unique audible vehicle monitoring
apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the
following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention
over the prior art also will be rendered evident.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention,
briefly described, provides a new and improved audible vehicle monitoring
apparatus which includes a sound monitoring assembly adapted for
connecting to an undercarriage portion of a wheeled vehicle. The sound
monitoring assembly includes a monitoring housing assembly adapted for
connecting to the undercarriage portion of the wheeled vehicle. A
microphone assembly is retained by the monitor housing assembly. A first
power source is housed within the monitor housing assembly. A wave
transmitter assembly is powered by the first power source and is retained
by the monitor housing assembly. The wave transmitter assembly is
connected to the microphone assembly and transmits waves representing
sounds picked up by the microphone assembly. The wave transmitter assembly
includes a transmitter antenna for transmitting the waves representing
sounds picked up by the microphone assembly.
An audible signalling assembly is retained in a cab portion of a motor
vehicle in proximity of a driver. The audible signalling assembly includes
a signaling housing assembly. A second power source is housed within the
signaling housing assembly. A wave receiver assembly is retained by the
signaling housing assembly and is powered by the second power source. The
wave receiver assembly includes a wave receiving antenna adapted for
receiving the transmitted waves from the transmitter antenna of the sound
monitoring assembly. The audible signalling assembly includes a speaker
assembly which housed within the signaling housing assembly and which is
powered by the second power source. The speaker assembly receives audio
signals from the wave receiver assembly and provides audible signals to
the driver of the motor vehicle.
The audible signalling assembly includes a volume control assembly for
adjusting a level of audible signals heard by a driver of the motor
vehicle. A plurality of sound monitoring assemblies can be connected to
selected locations of the undercarriage portion of the wheeled vehicle,
and the audible signalling assembly includes a selector switch assembly
for selecting which respective sound monitoring assembly is to be listened
to by a motor vehicle driver.
The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important
features of the present invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the
present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of
course, additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining a preferred embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of
the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood,
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for
designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which has all of the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved
audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which is of durable and
reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which is susceptible of a
low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming
public, thereby making such audible vehicle monitoring apparatus available
to the buying public.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which can detect looseness
of recapping material on a recapped tire before the recapping material
flies off of the tire.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus that can detect the presence
of defective wheel bearings before the wheel bearings undergo failure.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which can detect the
presence of defective universal joints before the universal joints undergo
failure.
Even another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus that can detect certain
defects in a motor vehicle so that repairs can be made between scheduled
trips as opposed to during a scheduled trip.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which enables a truck driver
to be aware of potentially dangerous motor vehicle conditions as the truck
or tractor trailer is being driven.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus that possesses indicators
that signal a driver relating to such conditions as tire recap condition,
wheel bearing condition, and universal joint condition.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which readily retrofits
current motor vehicles to monitor and signal a driver with respect to such
conditions as tire recap condition, wheel bearing condition, and universal
joint condition.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved auricle vehicle monitoring apparatus that provides a single
monitoring and signalling device which simultaneously monitors the three
conditions of tire recap condition, wheel bearing condition, and universal
joint condition.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus that employs a single
monitoring assembly to simultaneously monitor a plurality of wheels.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which does not require wires
running from monitoring assemblies to the driver of the motor vehicle.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus that readily enables a
driver to select a specific monitoring and signaling assembly to which
particular attention can be paid.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus which provides a driver of a
motor vehicle with an audible signal for potentially hazardous conditions.
These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed
out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there
are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as
objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a
study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a preferred embodiment of a receiver module
of the audible vehicle monitoring apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of transmitter modules of the
audible vehicle monitoring apparatus of the invention installed on a
tractor and trailer.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the tractor and trailer shown in FIG. 2 showing
a plurality of transmitter modules of the invention installed on the
tractor and trailer.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the receiver module of the audible vehicle
monitoring apparatus of the invention shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the receiver module shown in
FIG. 4 taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a single transmitter module of
the audible vehicle monitoring apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the transmitter module shown
in FIG. 6 taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings, a new and improved audible vehicle
monitoring apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present
invention will be described.
Turning to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the audible
vehicle monitoring apparatus of the invention which includes a sound
monitoring assembly 12 adapted for connecting to an undercarriage portion
14 of a wheeled vehicle 16. As shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sound
monitoring assembly 12 includes a monitoring housing assembly 22 adapted
for connecting to the undercarriage portion 14 of the wheeled vehicle 16.
A microphone assembly 24 is retained by the monitor housing assembly 22. A
first power source 26 is housed within the monitor housing assembly 22. A
wave transmitter assembly 28 is powered by the first power source 26 and
is retained by the monitor housing assembly 22. The wave transmitter
assembly 28 is connected to the microphone assembly 24 and transmits waves
representing sounds picked up by the microphone assembly 24. The wave
transmitter assembly 28 includes a transmitter antenna 29 for transmitting
the waves representing sounds picked up by the microphone assembly 24.
An audible signalling assembly 18 is retained in a cab portion 20 of a
motor vehicle in proximity of a driver. As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and
5, the audible signalling assembly 18 includes a signaling housing
assembly 30. A second power source 34 is housed within the signaling
housing assembly 30. A wave receiver assembly 32 is retained by the
signaling housing assembly 30 and is powered by the second power source
34. The wave receiver assembly 32 includes a wave receiving antenna 33
adapted for receiving the transmitted waves from the transmitter antenna
29 of the sound monitoring assembly 12. The audible signalling assembly 18
includes a speaker assembly 36 which housed within the signaling housing
assembly 30 and which is powered by the second power source 34. The
speaker assembly 36 receives audio signals from the wave receiver assembly
32 and provides audible signals to the driver of the motor vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 6, the microphone assembly 24 includes a microphone module
25 located at a focus of a parabolic mirror 27. The parabolic mirror 27
directs picked up sound waves from a number of directions to the
microphone module 25 at the focus of the parabolic mirror 27. A screen 29
is provided to protect the microphone assembly 24. An on/off switch 31 is
also provided to turn any respective sound monitoring assembly 12 on or
off as desired.
The audible signalling assembly 18 includes a volume control assembly 42
for adjusting a level of audible signals heard by a driver of the motor
vehicle. A plurality of sound monitoring assemblies 12 can be connected to
selected locations of the undercarriage portion 14 of the wheeled vehicle
16, and the audible signalling assembly 18 includes a selector switch
assembly 44 for selecting which respective sound monitoring assembly 12 is
to be listened to by a motor vehicle driver. An on/off switch assembly 45
can be provided for the audible signalling assembly 18. Also, a jack 47 is
provided for receiving a plug from an auxiliary source of power.
The locations of the undercarriage portions 14 of the wheeled vehicle 16,
where sound monitoring assemblies 12 are affixed, are selected in order to
provide sound monitoring for a plurality of motor vehicle structures that
are connected to the undercarriage portion 14. That is, a particular sound
monitoring assembly 12 monitors a plurality of motor vehicle structures.
As shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, a first sound monitoring
assembly 12 is positioned near the four left rear wheels of a trailer to
monitor sounds emanating from all beatings and all tires associated with
the four left rear trailer wheels. A second sound monitoring assembly 12
is positioned near the four fight rear wheels of the trailer to monitor
sounds emanating from all beatings and all tires associated with the four
fight rear trailer wheels.
Similarly, a third sound monitoring assembly 12 is positioned near the four
left rear wheels of a tractor to monitor sounds emanating from all
bearings and all tires associated with the four left rear tractor wheels.
In addition, a fourth sound monitoring assembly 12 is positioned near the
four fight rear wheels of a tractor to monitor sounds emanating from all
bearing and all tires associated with the four fight rear tractor wheels.
Each of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth sound monitoring
assemblies 12 simultaneously monitors the respective wheel bearings and
the respective tires of the associated wheels. The driver of the motor
vehicle can get used to a background or baseline sound pattern from each
respective sound monitoring assembly 12. When the background or baseline
sound perceptibly changes, such perceptible changes may reflect the
development of unsafe changes in the respective wheel bearings and tires.
For example, the wheel bearings may be going bad, and the tire recaps may
be loosening from the tire bodies. Such potentially hazardous conditions
may be heard by the driver, and corrective actions can be taken before an
actual hazard develops.
Still further, a fifth sound monitoring assembly 12 is positioned near the
universal joints of the tractor to monitor sounds emanating from the
universal joints of the tractor. Still additional sound monitoring
assemblies 12 can be used if desired.
In order to connect the respective sound monitoring assemblies 12 to the
undercarriage portion 14 of the wheeled vehicle 16, any suitable
connection devices can be used such as screws, bolts, and clamps. As shown
in FIG. 7, a plastic covered permanent magnet assembly 40 can be connected
to the monitoring housing assembly 22 and can be used to attach the sound
monitoring assembly 12 to a ferrous-metal containing portion of the
undercarriage portion 14 of the wheeled vehicle 16.
In order to most effectively utilize the audible signalling assembly 18, it
may be desirable to fix or attach the audible signalling assembly 18 to a
convenient location in the cab portion 20 of the motor vehicle. Such a
convenient location would be within easy hearing and within easy reach of
the driver. A variety of suitable devices for attaching the audible
signalling assembly 18 to a suitable location in the cab portion 20 of the
motor vehicle may be employed and include screws, bolts, and adhesives. As
shown in FIG. 5, double-sided adhesive tape 46 can be employed on a back
side of the signaling housing assembly 30 of the audible signalling
assembly 18. The double-sided adhesive tape 46 can be used to affix the
audible signalling assembly 18 to a dashboard. The first power source 26
and the second power source 34 can be small batteries such a 9 volt
batteries.
The components of the audible vehicle monitoring apparatus of the invention
can be made from inexpensive and durable metal and plastic materials.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same
is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further
discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided.
It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all
of the objects set forth by providing a new and improved audible vehicle
monitoring apparatus that is low in cost, relatively simple in design and
operation, and which may advantageously be used to detect looseness of
recapping material on a recapped tire before the recapping material flies
off of the tire. With the invention, an audible vehicle monitoring
apparatus is provided which can detect the presence of defective wheel
bearings before the wheel beatings undergo failure. With the invention, an
audible vehicle monitoring apparatus is provided which can detect the
presence of defective universal joints before the universal joints undergo
failure. With the invention, an audible vehicle monitoring apparatus is
provided which can detect certain defects in a motor vehicle so that
repairs can be made between scheduled trips as opposed to during a
scheduled trip. With the invention, an audible vehicle monitoring
apparatus is provided which enables a truck driver to be aware of
potentially dangerous motor vehicle conditions as the truck or tractor
trailer is being driven. With the invention, an audible vehicle monitoring
apparatus is provided which possesses indicators that signal a driver
relating to such conditions as tire recap condition, wheel bearing
condition, and universal joint condition.
With the invention, an audible vehicle monitoring apparatus is provided
which readily retrofits current motor vehicles to monitor and signal a
driver with respect to such conditions as tire recap condition, wheel
bearing condition, and universal joint condition. With the invention, an
audible vehicle monitoring apparatus is provided which provides a single
monitoring and signalling device which simultaneously monitors the three
conditions of tire recap condition, wheel bearing condition, and universal
joint condition. With the invention, an audible vehicle monitoring
apparatus is provided which employs a single monitoring assembly to
simultaneously monitor a plurality of wheels. With the invention, an
audible vehicle monitoring apparatus is provided which does not require
wires running from monitoring assemblies to the driver of the motor
vehicle. With the invention, an audible vehicle monitoring apparatus is
provided which readily enables a driver to select a specific monitoring
and signaling assembly to which particular attention can be paid. With the
invention, an audible vehicle monitoring apparatus is provided which
provides a driver of a motor vehicle with an audible signal for
potentially hazardous conditions.
Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully
described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is
presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of
the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the
principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to,
variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use.
Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only
by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as encompass all
such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.
Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the foregoing Abstract
provided at the beginning of this specification is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define
the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims,
nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any
way.
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