CUAUMCAAA
`
`US 20030048254A1
`
`as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0048254 Al
`Huang Mar.13, 2003 (43) Pub. Date:
`
`
`
`(54) WIRELESS PERIPHERALS CHARGED BY
`ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
`
`(52) U.S. C1. eee ecssseseecsecnecneeeneess 345/163; 345/158
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Shih-Sheng Huang, Taipei Hsien (TW)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`2)
`Filed:
`(22)
`File
`(30)
`
`10/064,357
`1. 4, 2002
`Jul.
`4,
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Correspondence Address:
`A wireless pointing device can be charged by an induction
`NAIPO (NORTH AMERICA
`power device. The induction power device includes a base
`INTERNATIONAL PATENT OFFICE)
`with a plate andafirst induction coil for converting electrical
`P.O. BOX 506
`powerof a power source to an induction magnetic field. The
`MERRIFIELD, VA 22116 (US)
`wireless pointing device has a housing with a contact plane
`corresponding to the plate, a second induction coil installed
`in the housing for receiving the induction magnetic field
`through the contact plane, a power module for transforming
`the induction field received by the second induction coil to
`a corresponding electrical power, and a storage module for
`storing the electrical power generated by the power module.
`Whenthe wireless pointing device is put on the plate of the
`induction power device, the second induction coil receives
`the induction magnetic field generated by the first induction
`coil such that the wireless pointing device can be charged by
`the induction power device.
`
`Sep. 7, 2001
`
`(TW) cecsccccsssssssssssssssesesassssssecs 090122197.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(SV)
`
`Tint. C07 eee eccceeeeeeceeenneeecereteeeeeenneeeeees G09G 5/08
`
`10
`
`™™, 30
`AC }7
`
`Ik
`
`26
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1077
`Apple v. GUI
`IPR2021-00471
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1077
`Apple v. GUI
`IPR2021-00471
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 13, 2003 Sheet 1 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 13, 2003 Sheet 2 of 4
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 13, 2003 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2003/0048254 Al
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`Fig. 3
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 13, 2003 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2003/0048254 Al
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`Mar.13, 2003
`
`WIRELESS PERIPHERALS CHARGED BY
`ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
`
`BACKGROUNDOF INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to a wireless periph-
`eral, and more particularly, to a wireless peripheral charged
`by electromagnetic induction.
`
`[0003]
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`
`[0004] As information systems of mobile phones, PDAs
`(personal digital assistants), and computers develop day-by-
`day,
`the peripherals of
`these information systems are
`improved as well. The peripherals provide a convenient
`human-machine interface, and increase efficiency when
`users use information systemsto access data and accumulate
`knowledge. Users enjoy using wireless peripherals since the
`wireless peripherals are not
`restricted by a wire. For
`example, when using a wireless mouse, a wire does not
`interfere with the user’s ability to operate the computer.
`Likewise, the wireless earphones used in mobile phones or
`communication systems also do not require a transmission
`wire. This is especially important when driving a car. The
`transmission wire of traditional earphonesinterferes with the
`ability of a driver to drive, and is not safe. However, the
`wireless earphone does not have this defect.
`
`[0005] Although the wireless peripherals have so many
`advantages, the wireless peripheralsstill need power-storage
`devices such as batteries to provide electrical power to the
`wireless peripherals. When the electrical power of batteries
`or power-storage devices is depleted, users must exchange
`the battery or charge the power-storage device.
`It is an
`inconvenience that users must keep many batteries on hand
`to re-supply electrical power to the wireless peripherals in
`time.
`
`transmitting the control signal in radio waves, a second
`induction coil installed in the housing for receiving the
`induction magnetic field through the contact plane, a power
`module for transforming the induction field received by the
`second induction coil to a corresponding electrical power,
`and a storage module for storing the electrical power gen-
`erated by the power module. When the wireless pointing
`device is put on the plate of the induction powerdevice, the
`second induction coil receives the induction magnetic field
`generated by the first induction coil such that the wireless
`pointing device can be charged by the induction power
`device.
`
`It is an advantage of the claimed invention that the
`[0009]
`claimed invention uses the induction magnetic field to
`transmit the electrical power. Users only need to put the
`wireless peripheral on the induction powerdevice so that the
`wireless peripheral can be charged. The claimed invention
`can increase the efficiency and duration of use of the
`wireless peripheral.
`
`[0010] These and other objectives of the claimed invention
`will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in
`the art after reading the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiment which is illustrated in the various
`figures and drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`{0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wireless mouse
`according to the first embodimentof the present invention.
`
`[0012] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the wireless
`mouse shown in FIG.1.
`
`[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodi-
`mentof the present invention, in which a wireless earphone
`is charged by an induction power device.
`
`[0014] FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the present
`invention wireless earphoneand the induction powerdevice.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In prior art technology, the charging device of the
`[0006]
`wireless peripherals has a power transmission port, and the
`peripherals have a corresponding charging port. When users
`[0015] Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG.1 is a perspective view
`want to charge the peripherals, users must insert the power
`of a wireless mouse 10 accordingto the first embodimentof
`transmission port of the charging device into the charging
`the present invention. The present invention wireless mouse
`port of the wireless peripheral. This is inconvenient because
`10 acts as a wireless pointing device that can be charged by
`users must insert the powertransmission port of the charging
`an induction power device 20 in an electromagnetic induc-
`device into the charging port often so as to keep the wireless
`tion manner. The induction power device 20 comprises a
`peripherals charged.
`base 24. An upper surface of the base 24 containsaflat-plate
`22. A lower surface of a housing 11 of the wireless mouse
`10 comprises a contact plane 12 corresponding to the
`flat-plate 22. Power of a power source 30 (the present
`embodiment uses an alternating current power source pro-
`vided by a family socket as an example, however, the present
`invention can also use other power sources) inputs into the
`induction powerdevice 20 through a plug 26. The induction
`powerdevice 20 transforms the power of the power source
`30 into an induction magnetic field, and then transmits out
`the induction magneticfield through the flat-plate 22. When
`the wireless mouse 10 is put on the flat-plate 22,
`the
`induction magnetic field emitted from the induction power
`device 20 passes through the flat-plate 22 and the contact
`plane 12 of the wireless mouse 10, and is then received by
`the wireless mouse 10. The wireless mouse 10 receives the
`
`SUMMARYOF INVENTION
`
`It is therefore a primary objective of the claimed
`[0007]
`invention to provide a wireless peripheral, which charged by
`electromagnetic induction, so as to solve the problem of the
`prior art technology.
`
`[0008] The claimed invention, briefly summarized, dis-
`closes a wireless pointing device for a computer and related
`wireless peripherals. The wireless pointing device can be
`charged by an induction power device. The induction power
`device includes a base with a plate and a first induction coil
`installed corresponding to a position of the plate for con-
`verting an electrical power of a power source to an induction
`magnetic field. The wireless pointing device has a housing
`with a contact plane correspondingto the plate, at least a key
`installed on the housing for generating a control signal
`corresponding to a user’s control, a signal module for
`
`induction magnetic field and transforms the induction mag-
`netic field into electrical powerso that the wireless mouse 10
`is charged.
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`US 2003/0048254 Al
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`Mar.13, 2003
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`[0016] Please refer to FIG. 2 for a further illustration of
`the structure and the operating principle of the present
`invention wireless mouse 10. FIG.2 is a structural diagram
`of the wireless mouse shownin FIG.1. The wireless mouse
`
`10 comprises control keys 14A installed on the housing 11
`of the wireless mouse 12 for generating a control signal
`corresponding to a user’s control. A position detector 14B
`(can be a rolling ball position detector or an optical position
`detector) is installed inside the wireless mouse 12 for
`detecting movement of the wireless mouse 10 and generat-
`ing a corresponding pointing signal. The control signal and
`the pointing signal are transmitted into a signal module 16.
`Then the signal module 16 transmits out the control signal
`and the pointing signal through radio waves. A receiving
`module 18 of a computer 32 receives the radio control signal
`and pointing signal, and then performs a corresponding
`operation (such as choosing an item on a userinterface of the
`computer 32, or moving a pointer on the user interface).
`Therefore, users can control the computer 32 by using the
`wireless mouse.
`
`[0017] The induction power device 20 for charging the
`wireless mouse 10 comprises a powertransforming system
`40 and a first induction coil 38. The power transforming
`system 40 is electrically connected to the power plug 26.
`Whenthe powerof the power source 30 is inputted into the
`powertransforming system 40 through the powerplug 26,
`then the powertransforming system 40 transforms the power
`to a suitable alternating current power, and the alternating
`current poweris driven to flow into the first induction coil
`38. The alternating current power flowing inside the first
`induction coil 38 generates an induction magnetic field
`along an arrow 39 orientation, and the induction magnetic
`field goes through the flat-plate 22.
`
`[0018] The wireless mouse 10 includes a second induction
`coil 34 corresponding to the first induction coil 38 of the
`induction power device 20. The second induction coil 34 is
`electrically connected to a power module 36A, and the
`power module 36Ais electrically connected to a storage
`module 36B. When the second induction coil 34 receives the
`
`induction magnetic field generated bythe first induction coil
`38 through the flat-plate 22 and the contact plane 12, a
`corresponding induction current
`is generated inside the
`second induction coil 34. The power module 36Atransforms
`the alternating current power of the induction current into a
`direct current power (it can be achieved by a standard
`alternating current to direct current commutation circuit).
`The storage module 36B stores the transformed direct cur-
`rent so that the wireless mouse 10 is charged.
`
`In order to transmit the magnetic power between
`[0019]
`the first induction coil 38 and the second induction coil 34
`
`efficiently, the position of the first induction coil 38 must
`align with the position of the second induction coil 34. That
`meansa center of the first induction coil 38 must coincide
`with a center of the second induction coil 34, so that an
`overlap projection area of the first induction coil 38 and the
`second induction coil 34 is at a maximum. A dashed line 46
`shown in FIG.2 is a projection of thefirst induction coil 38
`ontheflat-plate 22. If the projection of the second induction
`coil 34 on the flat-plate 22 can align with the dashed line 46
`(the overlap area is at a maximum) when the wireless mouse
`10 is put on theflat-plate 22, the induction power device 20
`can mostefficiently charge the wireless mouse 10. In order
`to achieve this purpose,
`the present
`invention induction
`
`powerdevice 20 comprises first magnets 42A acting asfirst
`fixers. The wireless mouse 10 also comprises second mag-
`nets 42B acting as second fixers corresponding to the
`positionofthe first magnet 42A. Whenthefirst magnets 42A
`and the second magnets 42B mutually attract, the wireless
`mouse 10 can befixed ontheflat-plate 22 in a fixed position.
`This fixed position causes the first induction coil 38 to
`exactly align with the second induction coil 34 so that the
`magnetic power can be mostefficiently transmitted. Thus,
`users do not need to specially put the wireless mouse 10 on
`the fixed position ofthe flat-plate 22. Users only need to put
`the wireless mouse 10 somewhere ontheflat-plate, then the
`first magnets 42A in the induction power device 20 and the
`second magnets 42B in the wireless mouse 10 will mutually
`attract so that the wireless mouse 10 is fixed in the optimum
`position. Therefore, the magnetic power can be transmitted
`in the mostefficient manner. Dashed lines 47 marked on the
`flat-plate 22 shownin FIG.2 are projection positions of the
`first magnets 42A of the induction power device 20. When
`a projection position of the second magnets 42B of the
`wireless mouse 10 overlaps the position of the dashed line
`47, then the projection position of the first induction coil 38
`aligns with the projection position of the second induction
`coil 34.
`
`invention embodiment described
`In the present
`[0020]
`above, users only need to put the wireless mouse 10 on the
`flat-plate 22 when users stop using the wireless mouse 10
`(such as taking a break), then the induction power device 20
`charges the wireless mouse 10 by electromagnetic induction.
`If users use the wireless mouse 10 again, they only need to
`take the wireless mouse from theflat-plate, but need not pull
`out the powertransmission port from the charging port as
`was the case with the prior art. Therefore,
`the present
`invention is more convenient than the prior art, and the
`invention can keep the electrical power of the wireless
`mouse 10 charged atall times.
`
`[0021] Another embodimentofthe present invention wire-
`less mouse 10 is that a radius of the first induction coil 38
`is larger than a radius of the second induction coil 34. The
`first induction coil 38 has a wider projection area than the
`second induction coil 34. Therefore, users can use the
`flat-plate 22 as a mouse pad, and movethe wireless mouse
`10 on the flat-plate 22 to control the user interface directly.
`Since the first induction coil 38 has wider area than the
`second induction coil 34, the second induction coil 34 in the
`wireless mouse 10is easily kept inside the projection area of
`the first induction coil 38, even if users are moving the
`wireless mouse 10. Therefore, the second induction coil 34
`can receive the induction magnetic field generated by the
`first induction coil 38efficiently. The wireless mouse 10 can
`be charged by the induction magnetic field all the time.
`Whether users are moving the wireless mouse 10 or not
`moving the wireless mouse 10, the wireless mouse 10 also
`can be charged by electromagnetic induction.
`
`[0022] Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG.3 is a perspective view
`of another embodimentof the present invention in which a
`wireless earphone 50 is charged by an induction power
`device 60. The wireless earphone 50 can be a wireless
`earphoneusing the bluetooth wireless transmission standard.
`The wireless earphone 50, covered by a housing 51, includes
`a hanging arm 82B. Users can hang the hanging arm 82B on
`their ears when using the wireless earphone 50, so as to fix
`the position of the wireless earphone 50. The present inven-
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`Mar.13, 2003
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`tion comprises the induction power device 60 for charging
`the wireless earphone 50. The induction power device 60
`includesa base 24 anda flat-plate 62. A hook 82Aisinstalled
`on the flat-plate 62. Users can hang the hanging arm 82B of
`the wireless earphone 50 on the hook 82A of the induction
`power device 60 when users stop using the wireless ear-
`phone 50. At this time, a contact plane 52 of the wireless
`earphone 50 aligns with the flat-plate 62 exactly, as shown
`in FIG.3. As explained in the first embodiment, the induc-
`tion powerdevice 60 transformsthe electrical power into the
`induction magnetic field. The wireless earphone 50 receives
`the induction magnetic field, and transforms the induction
`magnetic field into electrical power so as to charge the
`wireless earphone 50.
`
`[0023] Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a structural
`diagram of the present invention wireless earphone 50 and
`the induction power device 60. In order to make the drawing
`clearer, a portion of the housing of the induction power
`device 60 and the wireless earphone 50 are omitted in FIG.
`4. The wireless earphone 50 is used for a broadcast system
`72 that can emit a radio broadcast signal. The broadcast
`system 72 can be a mobile phone, a computer, or a general
`radio. A signal module 56 inside the wireless earphone 50
`can receive the broadcast signal, and transforms the broad-
`cast signal into a corresponding sound signal. The sound
`signal is transmitted to a loudspeaker 54A in the wireless
`earphone 50. The loudspeaker 54A transforms the sound
`signal into sound (or music) so that users can listen to the
`sound (or music). Furthermore, a microphone 54B of the
`wireless earphone 50 can receive speech sound of users, and
`transform the speech sound into a corresponding sound
`signal. The soundsignalis transmitted to the signal module
`56, and then the signal module 56 transmits the sound signal
`to the broadcast system 72 through radio signals.
`
`[0024] Similar to the first embodiment of the present
`invention, in order to charge the wireless earphone 50, the
`induction power device 60 includesa first induction coil 78
`for transforming a power source (not shown) into an induc-
`tion magnetic field. The wireless earphone 50 includes a
`second induction coil 74 correspondingto the first induction
`coil 78. The second induction coil 74 receives the induction
`magnetic field generated by the induction power device 60.
`A power module 76A installed in the wireless earphone 50
`transforms an alternating current power of the induction
`magnetic field into a direct current power. The power
`module 76A transmits the direct current powerinto a storage
`module 76B so that the storage module 76B can provide
`electrical powerto the wireless earphone 50, and for achiev-
`ing the purpose of charging the wireless earphone 50 with
`induction magnetic field.
`
`the wireless earphone 50 without inserting a power trans-
`mission port into a charging port of the wireless earphone
`50.
`
`In the prior art, users must prepare several batter-
`[0026]
`ies, or insert the power transmission port into the charging
`port of the wireless peripheral, so as to maintain electrical
`power of the wireless peripheral. However,
`the present
`invention uses the induction magnetic field to transmit the
`electrical power. Therefore, the present invention does not
`require a lot of batteries, or insertion of the power trans-
`mission port into the charging port of the wireless periph-
`eral. The fixers of the present invention automatically guide
`the wireless peripherals position on the optimum position of
`the induction power device. The induction magnetic field
`can be transmitted with the highest efficiency. When users
`use the present invention wireless peripheral, even during
`just a short break, users also can put the wireless peripheral
`on the induction power device so as to charge the wireless
`peripheral.
`
`[0027] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that
`numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be
`made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accord-
`ingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited
`only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. Awireless pointing device for a computer, the wireless
`pointing device capable of being charged by an induction
`powerdevice, the induction power device comprising:
`
`a base with a flat-plate; and
`
`a first induction coil installed corresponding to a position
`of the flat-plate for transforming an electrical power of
`a powersource to an induction magnetic field; and
`
`the wireless pointing device comprising:
`
`a housing with a contact plane corresponding to the
`flat-plate;
`
`at
`
`least a control key installed on the housing for
`generating a control signal corresponding to a user’s
`control;
`
`a signal module electrically connected to the control
`key for transmitting the control signal through radio
`waves;
`
`a second induction coil installed inside the housing
`corresponding to a position of the contact plane for
`receiving the induction magnetic field through the
`contact plane in a magnetic induction manner;
`
`a power module electrically connected to the second
`induction coil for transforming the induction mag-
`netic field received by the second induction coil to a
`corresponding electrical power; and
`
`[0025] As mentioned above, whenthe first induction coil
`78 aligns with the second induction coil 74, the induction
`magnetic field can be transmitted with the mostefficiency.
`a storage module for storing the electrical power gen-
`The hook 82Aacts asafirst fixer. The hanging arm 82B on
`erated by the power module so that
`the storage
`the wireless earphone 50 acts as a second fixer. When the
`module is capable of providing the electrical power
`hanging arm 82Bofthe wireless earphone 50 is hung on the
`to the wireless pointing device;
`hook 82A, then the first induction coil 78 aligns with the
`second induction coil 74. Of course, the wireless earphone
`50 can use the magnetsto be the fixers so as to align the first
`induction coil 78 with the second induction coil 74. The
`induction magnetic field can be transmitted with the most
`efficiency. As with the first embodiment, users can charge
`
`wherein whenthe contact plane of the wireless pointing
`device is put on theflat-plate of the induction power
`device,
`the second induction coil of the wireless
`point device receives the induction magnetic field
`generated by the first
`induction coil so that
`the
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`US 2003/0048254 Al
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`Mar.13, 2003
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`wireless pointing device is capable of being charged
`by the induction power device.
`2. The wireless pointing device of claim 1 wherein at least
`a first fixer is installed in the induction power device
`corresponding to the position of the flat-plate, and at least a
`second fixer is installed on the contact plane corresponding
`to the first fixer, and when the contact plane of the wireless
`pointing device is puton the flat-plate of the induction power
`device, the first fixer brakes the secondfixer so as to fix the
`position of the wireless pointing device and make the
`position of the first induction coil align with the position of
`the second induction coil.
`3. The wireless pointing device of claim 2 wherein the
`first fixer is a magnet.
`4. The wireless pointing device of claim 2 wherein the
`second fixer is a magnet.
`5. The wireless pointing device of claim 1 being a wireless
`mouse.
`
`6. The wireless pointing device of claim 1 wherein the
`computer comprises a receiving module for receiving the
`radio control signal transmitted from the wireless pointing
`device.
`7. Awireless earphonefor a broadcast system, the broad-
`cast system emitting a radio broadcast signal, the wireless
`earphone capable of being charged by an induction power
`device, the induction power device comprising:
`
`a base with a flat-plate; and
`
`a first induction coil installed corresponding to a position
`of the flat-plate for transforming an electrical power of
`a power source to an induction magnetic field;
`
`the wireless earphone comprising:
`
`a housing with a contact plane corresponding to the
`flat-plate;
`
`a signal module for receiving the radio broadcast signal
`of the broadcast system and generating correspond-
`ing music signal;
`
`a loudspeakerelectrically connected to the signal mod-
`ule for playing the music signal;
`
`a second induction coil installed inside the housing
`corresponding to a position of the contact plane for
`
`receiving the induction magnetic field through the
`contact plane in a magnetic induction manner;
`
`a power module electrically connected to the second
`induction coil for transforming the induction mag-
`netic field received by the second induction coil to a
`corresponding electrical power; and
`
`a storage module for storing the electrical power gen-
`erated by the power module so that
`the storage
`module is capable of providing the electrical power
`to the wireless earphone;
`
`wherein when the contact plane of the wireless ear-
`phoneis put on the flat-plate of the induction power
`device,
`the second induction coil of the wireless
`earphone receives the induction magneticfield gen-
`erated by the first induction coil so that the wireless
`earphoneis capable of being charged by the induc-
`tion power device.
`8. The wireless earphoneof claim 7 whereinatleast a first
`fixer is installed on the flat-plate, and at least a second fixer
`is installed on the contact plane corresponding to thefirst
`fixer, when the contact plane of the wireless is put on the
`flat-plate of the induction powerdevice, the first fixer brakes
`the second fixer so as to fix the position of the wireless
`earphone and make the position of the first induction coil
`align with the position of the second induction coil.
`9. The wireless earphone of claim 7 whereinthefirst fixer
`is a magnet.
`10. The wireless earphone of claim 7 wherein the first
`fixer is a hook.
`
`11. The wireless earphone of claim 7 further comprising
`a microphone for receiving speech sound of users and
`generating a corresponding sound signal.
`12. The wireless earphone of claim 11 wherein the signal
`module is capable of transmitting the sound signal through
`radio waves, and the broadcast system is capable of receiv-
`ing the radio sound signal.
`13. The wireless earphone of claim 7 being a bluetooth
`wireless earphone.
`
`9
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`