Source: http://patents.com/us-9569230.html
Timestamp: 2017-10-19 09:22:45
Document Index: 475462935

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 2009148134', 'application No. 10', 'application No. 2009148134', 'Application No. 200880017549', 'Application No. 08', 'Application No. 1', 'Application No. 08751306']

US Patent # 9,569,230. Network entity, terminal, computer-readable storage medium and method for providing widgets including advertisements for associated widgets - Patents.com
United States Patent 9,569,230
Pyhalammi , et al. February 14, 2017
Pyhalammi; Seppo (Helsinki, FI), Sihvola; Tuomo (Espoo, FI)
Pyhalammi; Seppo
Sihvola; Tuomo
Family ID: 1000002403501
11/753,786
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1. An apparatus comprising: a processor, and a memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: preparing a first widget for transmission to a mobile terminal, the first widget being associated with a second widget, the mobile terminal being configured to present content of the first widget in a display of the mobile terminal and in a manner including a content item related to the second widget; receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the second widget based on the presentation of content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget; and preparing the second widget for transmission to the mobile terminal in response to the request, the mobile terminal being configured to receive the second widget, embed the second widget within the first widget, and present content of the second widget in the display, the first widget being presented on a dashboard.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for additional content related to the second widget based on the presentation of content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget; and preparing the additional content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to present the additional content in the display, wherein receiving a request for the second widget comprises receiving a request for the second widget based on the presentation of the additional content related to the second widget.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: preparing, for transmission to the mobile terminal, the content item related to the second widget before the mobile terminal presents content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the content item related to the second widget before preparing the respective content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to send the request based on presentation of an indicia of the first widget.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the content item related to the second widget before preparing the respective content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to send the request based on presentation of content of the first widget in a maximized view of the widget.
8. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: causing presentation of content of a first widget in a display and on a dashboard presented in the display, the first widget being associated with a second widget configured for operating within the first widget; causing, in the display, presentation of a content item related to the second widget, the content item being presented in a predetermined relationship with respect to presentation of the content of the first widget; and initiating a request, to another apparatus, to receive the second widget, the request being initiated based on the presentation of the content item.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: receiving the content item from another apparatus before the presentation of the content item.
11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein causing presentation of content comprises causing presentation of content including an indicia of the first widget, and wherein causing presentation of a content item comprises causing presentation of a content item in place of the indicia of the first widget for at least a predefined period of time.
15. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: receiving the second widget in response to the request; embedding the second widget within the first widget; and causing, in the display, presentation of content of the second widget embedded within content of the first widget.
22. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein causing presentation of content comprises causing presentation of an indicia of the first widget in a dashboard including indicia of each of a plurality of widgets, and wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: receiving the second widget in response to the request; and causing presentation of indicia of the second widget in the dashboard along with indicia of each of the plurality of widgets including the first widget.
23. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: receiving the second widget in response to the request; and continuously receiving, and causing presentation of, content of the second widget when the apparatus is operated in an on-line mode.
24. A method comprising: preparing a first widget for transmission to a mobile terminal, the first widget being associated with a second widget, the mobile terminal being configured to present content of the first widget on a dashboard presented in a display of the mobile terminal and in a manner including a content item related to the second widget; receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the second widget based on the presentation of content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget; and preparing the second widget for transmission to the mobile terminal in response to the request, the mobile terminal being configured to receive the second widget, embed the second widget within the first widget, and present content of the second widget in the display and within the content of the first widget, wherein at least one of preparing a first widget or preparing the second widget are performed by an apparatus comprising a processor configured to at least one of prepare a first widget or prepare the second widget.
25. A method according to claim 24 further comprising: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for additional content related to the second widget based on the presentation of content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget; and preparing the additional content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to present the additional content in the displayed, wherein receiving a request for the second widget comprises receiving a request for the second widget based on the presentation of the additional content related to the second widget.
26. A method according to claim 24 further comprising: preparing, for transmission to the mobile terminal, the content item related to the second widget before the mobile terminal presents content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget.
30. A method according to claim 24 further comprising: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the content item related to the second widget before preparing the respective content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to send the request based on presentation of content of the first widget in a maximized view of the widget.
31. A method comprising: causing presentation of content of a first widget on a dashboard presented in a display, the first widget being associated with a second widget; causing, in the display, presentation of a content item related to the second widget, the content item being presented in a predetermined relationship with respect to presentation of the content of the first widget; and initiating a request, to another apparatus, to receive the second widget configured for embedding and operating within the first widget, the request being initiated based on the presentation of the content item, wherein causing presentation of a first widget, causing presentation of a content item and initiating a request are performed by an apparatus comprising a processor configured to cause presentation of a first widget, cause presentation of a content item and initiate a request.
32. A method according to claim 31 further comprising: receiving the content item from another apparatus before the presentation of the content item.
34. A method according to claim 31, wherein causing presentation of content comprises causing presentation of content including an indicia of the first widget, and wherein causing presentation of a content item comprises causing presentation of a content item in place of the indicia of the first widget for at least a predefined period of time.
37. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions being configured to, with a processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform: preparing a first widget for transmission to a mobile terminal, the first widget being associated with a second widget, the mobile terminal being configured to present content of the first widget on a dashboard presented in a display of the mobile terminal and in a manner including a content item related to the second widget; receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the second widget based on the presentation of content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget; and preparing the second widget for transmission to the mobile terminal in response to the request, the mobile terminal being configured to receive the second widget, embed the second widget within the first widget, and present content of the second widget in the display and within the first widget.
38. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 37, wherein the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for additional content related to the second widget based on the presentation of content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget; and preparing the additional content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to present the additional content in the display, wherein receiving a request for the second widget comprises receiving a request for the second widget based on the presentation of the additional content related to the second widget.
39. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 37, wherein the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: preparing, for transmission to the mobile terminal, the content item related to the second widget before the mobile terminal presents content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget.
40. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 37 wherein the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the content item related to the second widget before preparing the respective content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to send the request based on presentation of an indicia of the first widget.
43. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 37, wherein the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving, from the mobile terminal, a request for the content item related to the second widget before preparing the respective content for transmission to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to send the request based on presentation of content of the first widget in a maximized view of the widget.
44. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions being configured to'with a processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform: causing presentation of content of a first widget in a display; the first widget being associated with a second widget configured for operating within the first widget; causing, in the display, presentation of a content item related to the second widget, the content item being presented in a predetermined relationship with respect to presentation of the content of the first widget; and initiating a request, to a network entity another apparatus, to receive the second widget, the request being initiated based on the presentation of the content item.
45. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 44, wherein the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving the content item from another apparatus before the presentation of the content item.
47. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 44, wherein causing presentation of content comprises causing presentation of content including an indicia of the first widget, and wherein causing presentation of a content item comprises causing presentation of a content item in place of the indicia of the first widget for at least a predefined period of time.
In an effort to overcome a number of the aforementioned drawbacks, user interface elements commonly referred to as "widgets" have been developed to provide information to users in a more convenient manner. In this regard, a widget may be considered a downloadable, interactive virtual tool (software tool) that provides content such as headline news, exchange rates, sports results, stock quotes, weather forecasts, multilingual phrase dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, entertainment listings, personal online calendars, or the like to a user. But although widgets may overcome a number of the aforementioned drawbacks, it is usually desirable to improve upon existing technologies, including those related to widgets such as to further improve widget user experience.
FIGS. 10a, 10b, 10c, 11 and 12 are further functional block diagrams of the display of a terminal, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and
The APs 30 and the workstations 30 may be coupled to the Internet 20. Like with the MSC 16, the APs and workstations can be directly coupled to the Internet. In one advantageous embodiment, however, the APs are indirectly coupled to the Internet via a GTW 18. As will be appreciated, by directly or indirectly connecting the terminals and the origin server 22, as well as any of a number of other devices, to the Internet, the terminals can communicate with one another, the origin server, etc., to thereby carry out various functions of the terminal, such as to transmit data, content or the like to, and/or receive content, data or the like from, the origin server. As used herein, the terms "data," "content," "information" and similar terms may be used to interchangeably to refer to data configured to be transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This content may include, for example, multimedia content with audio, video, textual and/or graphical portions. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the terminal 10 can additionally, or alternatively, be coupled to one or more digital broadcasters 32 via a digital broadcast network, such as a terrestrial digital video broadcasting (e.g., DVB-T, DVB-H, ISDB-T, ATSC, etc.) network. As will be appreciated, by directly or indirectly connecting the terminals and the digital broadcaster, the terminals can receive content, such as content for one or more television, radio and/or data channels, from the digital broadcaster. In this regard, the digital broadcaster can include, or be coupled to, a transmitter (TX) 34, such as a DVB TX. Similarly, the terminal can include a receiver, such as a DVB receiver (not shown). The terminal can be configured to receive content from any of a number of different entities in any one or more of a different number of manners. In one embodiment, for example, the terminal can comprise a terminal 10' configured to transmit and/or receive data, content or the like in accordance with a DVB (e.g., DVB-T, DVB-H, etc.) technique as well as a cellular (e.g., 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 3G, etc.) communication technique. In such an embodiment, the terminal 10' may include an antenna 12a for receiving content from the DVB TX, and another antenna 12b for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from a BS 14. For more information on such a terminal, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/894,532, entitled: Receiver, filed Jun. 29, 2001, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Although described herein as being implemented in software application(s), it should be understood that any one or more of the functions described herein may alternatively be implemented in firmware or hardware, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Generally, then, the terminal 10, origin server 22, digital broadcast receiving terminal 36, and/or a digital broadcaster 32 can include one or more logic elements for performing various functions. As will be appreciated, the logic elements can be embodied in any of a number of different manners. In this regard, the logic elements performing the respective functions can be embodied in an integrated circuit assembly including one or more integrated circuits integral or otherwise in communication with a respective network entity (i.e., terminal, origin server, digital broadcast receiving terminal, digital broadcaster, etc.) or more particularly, for example, a processor 38 of the respective network entity. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. In this regard, complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate. These software tools automatically route conductors and locate components on a semiconductor chip using well established rules of design as well as huge libraries of pre-stored design modules. Once the design for a semiconductor circuit has been completed, the resultant design, in a standardized electronic format (e.g., Opus, GDSII, or the like) may be transmitted to a semiconductor fabrication facility or "fab" for fabrication.
The terminal also comprises a user interface including a conventional earphone or speaker 54, a ringer 56, a microphone 58, a display 60, and a user input interface, all of which are coupled to the controller 52. The user input interface, which allows the terminal to receive data, can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the terminal to receive data, such as a keypad 62, a touch display (not shown) or other input device. In embodiments including a keypad, the keypad includes the conventional numeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and other keys used for operating the terminal. For example, the keypad can additionally or alternatively include directional keys (.uparw., .dwnarw.) for directionally selecting ordered items.
The terminal can also include one or more means for sharing and/or obtaining data from electronic devices, such as another terminal 10, an origin server 22, an AP 28, a digital broadcast receiving terminal 36, a digital broadcaster 32 or the like, in accordance with any of a number of different wireline and/or wireless techniques. For example, the terminal can include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 64 and/or an infrared (IR) transceiver 66 such that the terminal can share and/or obtain data in accordance with radio frequency and/or infrared techniques. Also, for example, the terminal can include a Bluetooth (BT) transceiver 68 such that the terminal can share and/or obtain data in accordance with Bluetooth transfer techniques. Although not shown, the terminal may additionally or alternatively be configured to transmit and/or receive data from electronic devices according to a number of different wireline and/or wireless networking techniques, including LAN and/or WLAN techniques. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 1 with respect to terminal 10', the terminal may include an additional antenna or the like to transmit and/or receive data from such electronic devices (e.g., digital broadcaster).
In one or more configurations, a user of a terminal 10 may input desired data into the terminal, organize the data within the terminal, or display the information in a convenient manner. For example, a system for providing desired information in a terminal may include a system API (application program interface) through which a third-party widget source (e.g., origin server 22, digital broadcaster 32, etc.) may provide content to the terminal. In addition, the system may include a widget API for providing a standardized interface for communication with a user interface element including or otherwise displaying desired content. One such user interface element is commonly referred to as a "widget." In this regard, a widget may be considered a downloadable, interactive virtual tool (software tool) that provides content such as headline news, exchange rates, sports results, stock quotes, weather forecasts, multilingual phrase dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, entertainment listings, personal online calendars, or the like to a user. A widget may be configured to continuously receive content, such as continuously updated content, from the widget source and/or one or more other sources, when the terminal or widget is operated in an on-line mode. The system API may communicate with the widget via the widget API, for example. Also, the widget may access information from third-party sources via the widget API. The widget may include one or more applications linked to one or more sources for accessing, sending and/or retrieving information from those sources without relying on a separate application. More particularly, for example, the widget may include one or more web applications linked to one or more web servers (e.g., origin servers) for accessing, sending and/or retrieving information from those web servers without relying on a separate web browser.
As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, for example, the display 80 (e.g., display 44, 58) of a terminal 10 may present a dashboard 82 within which one or more widgets may be situated (widgets 84 and 86 being shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5a; and widgets 84-98 being shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5b). In this regard, the dashboard may be defined by a fixed area of the display dedicated to presenting one or more types of information such as widgets. The area occupied by dashboard may be set by the user or predefined by a system default. The dashboard may also be a flexible area that expands or contracts depending on the amount of information to be displayed. In instances where the dashboard has a fixed size, widgets from various sources may compete for space on a particular user's dashboard. In some cases, one spot, for example, the middle of dashboard, may be more desirable than a left or right position.
Within a dashboard 82, the widgets 84, 86 may be represented by icons or other indicia 104 identifying the respective widgets. A user may then open a widget from the dashboard to direct the terminal to present the widget's content on the display 80. The opened widget may be presented in a number of different manners, such as in a remaining portion of the display (portion other than that occupied by the dashboard) or in a portion or all of the display without the dashboard, and thus the other widgets, also being presented by the display. As shown in FIG. 6a, the widget may be presented in a minimized view whereby the opened widget's icon or other indicia is presented by the display without the dashboard, and thus, the other widgets. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6b, the widget may be presented in a maximized view whereby the widget and its content 106 are presented by the display, again without the dashboard. Further, the display may be configured to selectively display the widget in its minimized or maximized views, such as in a manner as desired by the user.
Before, after or as the widget source(s) 76 and/or widget service(s) 78 send widget(s) to the terminal 10, the source(s) and/or service(s) may receive, from one or more advertising sources 108, one or more widget advertisements directed to one or more widgets of the respective advertising sources, as shown in block 122. In this regard, the system may include one or more advertising sources 108 (e.g., origin server 22, digital broadcaster 32, etc.) that may function as widget sources for respective one or more widgets, but may also be configured to supply advertisements for those respective widget(s). The source(s) and/or service(s) receiving the advertisements, then, may associate the advertisement(s) with one or more widgets, as shown in block 124. The advertisements may be associated with widgets in any of a number of different manners, and under the direction of any of a number of different entities, including the respective advertising source, widget source and/or widget service. In one exemplary embodiment, the widgets may include identifiers (e.g., alphanumeric identifiers) that uniquely identify those widgets, as shown for example in FIG. 9a (also showing a status of the respective widgets). Similarly, the advertisements may also include identifiers that uniquely identify those advertisements, as shown for example in the data table of FIG. 9b. In such an embodiment, the advertisements may be associated with the widgets by associating the advertisements or, if provided, unique identifiers of the advertisements with identifiers of the respective widgets, as also shown in the data table FIG. 9a.
More particularly, for example, the widget on the terminal 10 may be configured to send, to a source 76 or service 78, a request for an advertisement for another widget associated therewith. This request may include, for example, an address (e.g., IP address) of the respective source or service, the identifier of the respective widget, and an identifier of the terminal (or user of the terminal). Before sending the request, however, the widget may (but need not) be configured to request and receive the terminal user's acceptance of advertisements, such as via the terminal's user interface. The respective source or service may then determine whether the respective terminal/terminal user may receive advertisements (for, e.g., subscription services). If the terminal/terminal user may receive advertisements, the source or service may determine the appropriate advertisement based on the widget identifier (the widget identifier being associated with an advertisement identifier--see, e.g., FIG. 9a), and return the appropriate advertisement to the terminal.
The advertisements may be sent the terminal 10 in any of a number of different manners. In accordance with a pull technique, for example, a widget 84-98 may be configured or otherwise triggered to request one or more advertisements for the widget at one or more instances in response to presentation of the widget in the dashboard 82, opening of the widget, a change in the view of the opened widget (minimized view--see, e.g., FIG. 6a; or maximized view--see, e.g., FIG. 6b), passage of a given time period during presentation of the widget in the dashboard and/or a particular view of the opened widget, or the like. In accordance with a push technique, for example, the source(s) and/or service(s) may be configured to push the advertisements to the terminal at one or more instances in response to the terminal having received the respective widget, and/or in response to receiving an indication from the terminal related to presentation and/or opening of the respective widget (e.g., indication related to one or more of the triggering events explained above with respect to the pull technique). And in further embodiments, the advertisements may be sent the terminal in accordance with a combination of push and pull techniques. In either event, the advertisement(s) may be sent to the terminal for presentation directly or in directly in conjunction with the respective widget. In this regard, the advertisement(s) may be sent to the terminal for presentation directly in conjunction with the respective widget. Additionally or alternatively, however, the advertisement(s) may be sent to the terminal for presentation indirectly in conjunction with the respective widget, such as by being sent via email, SMS or other communication channels.
Regardless of how or when the advertisement(s) are sent to the terminal 10, the associated widget may be configured to present the advertisement(s). The widget may be configured to present the advertisement(s) in any of a number of different manners. As shown in FIG. 10a, for example, the widget may be configured to present the advertisement(s) 108 in place of the indicia of the respective widget in the dashboard 82 of the display 80, such as when the respective widget is aligned with the frame 102. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the widget may be configured to present the advertisement(s) in place of the respective widget's indicia in the minimized view of the widget once the widget has been opened, as shown in FIG. 10b. And further, for example, the widget may be configured to present the advertisement(s) along with the content of the respective widget in the maximized view of the widget once the widget has been opened, as shown in FIG. 10c.
The widget may be configured to present the advertisement(s) in a continuous or discontinuous manner. For example, the widget may be configured to continuously present the advertisement(s) when the advertisement(s) are presented along with the content of the respective widget (see, e.g., FIG. 10c). Also, for example, the widget may be configured to periodically present the advertisement(s) with a given duration and period, when the advertisement(s) are presented in place of the respective widget's indicia in the dashboard 82 or minimized view (see, e.g., FIGS. 10a, 10b). In such a periodic presentation, the widget may be configured to switch between the advertisement(s) for the given duration, and the indicia for the respective widget (see, e.g., FIGS. 5b, 6a) between periods of the given duration.
As or after the terminal 10 presents the additional information 110, again if the user is interested in the advertised widget, the user may direct and the terminal may receive direction, to download the advertised widget, such as via a control 112 presented along with the additional information. In response, the widget presenting the additional information, or separate advertising widget, may initiate the terminal downloading or otherwise receiving the advertised widget. For example, the advertised widget may be downloaded from a widget service 78 or the advertising source 108 originating the advertisement and the advertised widget. In this regard, the service or advertising source may receive a request for the advertised widget, to which the respective network entity may respond by sending the requested, advertised widget to the terminal, as shown in block 130. Then, on receipt of the advertised widget, the terminal may install the widget for use on the terminal, including adding the advertised widget to the dashboard 82 of the display 80, shown as added widget 100 in FIG. 12 (compare, e.g., FIG. 5b).
As explained above, a widget may be associated with one or more other widgets, and accordingly, one or more advertisements for those one or more widgets. In a more particular example, a widget may include a plurality of selectable or separately presentable items, each of which may be associated with a different advertisement for the same widget or a different widget (e.g., advertisements from different entities). Alternatively, a widget may include a plurality of selectable or separately presentable items, each of which may be associated with a different variation of the same advertisement for the same widget or a different variation of the same widget (e.g., advertisements from the same entity). Similar to the widgets and advertisements, these items may also identifiers (e.g., alphanumeric identifiers) that uniquely identify those items. Thus, for items associated with different advertisements, a widget identifier may be associated with multiple item identifiers, each of which is associated with an advertisement identifier, as shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, for items associated with different variations of the same advertisement, an advertisement identifier may be associated with multiple item identifiers, each of which is associated with a different variation of the same advertisement, as shown in FIG. 14. Thus, for example, the data table of FIG. 9a may be implemented in conjunction with the data table of FIG. 14. Or, for example, the data table of FIG. 13 may be implemented in conjunction with the data table of FIG. 9b.
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