US2014342835A1PendingUtilityA1
Location-based multiplayer gaming platform
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 16, 2007Filed: Jul 23, 2014Published: Nov 20, 2014
Est. expiryMar 16, 2027(~0.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
A63F 13/12H04W 4/20H04L 67/52H04L 67/131A63F 2300/5573H04W 4/023A63F 2300/407G06Q 40/12A63F 2300/406A63F 2300/537A63F 13/30A63F 13/792A63F 13/332A63F 13/35H04W 4/029A63F 13/46H04W 4/02A63F 13/79A63F 13/216A63F 13/71
42
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Claims
Abstract
The methods and systems disclosed herein include a gaming platform that may support massively-multiplayer online computer games, with elements of social networking, in which players may use mobile devices in order to verify their location and claim a measure of control over the location. Players may function like game pieces in association with other members on a team and participate in competitions to capture and defend real-world territory as part of the gaming experience. The gaming platform and associated entities may share revenue and other incentives with entities associated with the locations controlled by the players on the game platform.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modifiedWhat is claimed is:
1 . A method comprising:
associating a geographic location with a code; transmitting the code using a mobile communication facility; verifying the code transmission receipt at a geographic location using a location verification facility located at the geographic location; and broadcasting the verification to a network.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the location control measure is based at least in part on a distance of the mobile communication facility from the geographic location at the time of the code transmission.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the location control measure is based at least in part on a criterion.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the criterion is a purchase at the geographic location by the player.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the criterion is a visit duration at the geographic location by the player.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the criterion is a fee payment made by a user of the mobile communication facility.
9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the criterion is a receipt of a sponsor code transmission.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sponsor code is a coupon code.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sponsor code is a proof-of-purchase code.
12 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting the verification is to a plurality of mobile communication facility users.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the verification control facility uses a local wireless network to identify a mobile communication facility of a user that is in proximity to the geographic location.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying whether the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of entering the code.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location is a virtual geographic location.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location is a retail store.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location is a landmark.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location is defined by a user of the mobile communication facility.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location is ground level.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location is subterranean.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location is above ground level.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS.
24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation.
25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the code is associated with a game scenario.
26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the code is associated with a plurality of game scenarios.
27 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission of the code is made by calling a phone number.
28 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission of the code is made by sending an SMS text message.
29 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission of the code is made through an Internet website.
30 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission of the code invokes a fee.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the fee is billed to the account associated with the mobile communication facility from which the code is transmitted.
32 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the code transmission receipt is confirmed to the mobile communication facility.
33 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast is made using the internet.
34 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast is a webpage update.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the webpage update is an update of a social networking website.
36 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast in an email.
37 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast is made using a wireless provider.
38 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast is an SMS text message.
39 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast is an automated voice mail.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the automated voice mail is created by a user of the mobile communication facility gaining location control of the geographic location.
41 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast is made using a wireless provider and the internet in combination.
42 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast is associated with an interactive user interface.
43 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the interactive user interface includes a map.
44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the map is a satellite image.
45 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the map is a graphic rendering.
46 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the map is three-dimensional.
47 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the interactive user interface includes a blog.
48 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the interactive user interface includes sponsored content.
49 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the sponsored content is associated with the geographic location.
50 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast invokes a fee.
51 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the fee is billed to the account associated with the mobile communication facility from which the code is transmitted.
52 . A method comprising:
creating a code that may be entered in a mobile communication facility; associating the code with a unit of a location verification facility that may be further associated with one or more of a plurality of geographic locations; establishing a geographic location of the mobile communication facility; transmitting the code from the mobile communication facility; computing with the verification facility a location verification measure associated with the geographic location and the mobile communication facility; and broadcasting the measure to a network.
53 . The method of claim 52 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
54 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
55 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
56 . The method of claim 52 , wherein the broadcasting is to a plurality of mobile communication facility users.
57 . The method of claim 52 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS.
58 . The method of claim 52 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation.
59 . A method comprising:
associating a mobile communication facility with a plurality of mobile communication facilities, wherein the association forms a multiplayer team; associating a code with a geographic location; transmitting the code using the mobile communication facility; identifying whether the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of entering the code; and creating a first multiplayer team score based at least in part on verifying that the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of the code transmission.
60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
61 . The method of claim 60 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
62 . The method of claim 60 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
63 . The method of claim 59 , further comprising receiving a second transmission of the code from at least one of the plurality of mobile communication facilities.
64 . The method of claim 59 , further comprising creating an aggregated multiplayer team score based at least in part on a combination of the code transmission and a second code transmission.
65 . The method of claim 64 , wherein the aggregated multiplayer team score is weighted based on a criterion.
66 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the criterion is a purchase at the geographic location by the player.
67 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the criterion is a visit duration at the geographic location by the player.
68 . The method of claim 59 , further comprising converting an aggregated multiplayer team score into a weighting of the multiplayer team's location control measure.
69 . The method of claim 68 , wherein the weighting of the multiplayer team's location control measure diminishes as a function of time.
70 . The method of claim 69 , wherein the diminution of the weighting of the multiplayer team's location control measure may be halted upon receipt of a third code transmission by at least one of the plurality of players' mobile communication facilities.
71 . The method of claim 59 , further comprising broadcasting a multiplayer team's location control measure to a plurality of multiplayer teams.
72 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the association of the player's mobile communication facility with the plurality of mobile communication facilities is made using the internet.
73 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the association of the player's mobile communication facility with the plurality of mobile communication facilities is made using a wireless provider.
74 . A method comprising:
creating a first code associated with a first location, a second code associated with a second location, and a third code associated with a third location, lines among the three locations defining at least a portion of a perimeter of a geographic territory; transmitting the first, second, and third codes using at least one mobile communication facility; verifying location of the mobile communication facility upon receipt of the codes' transmissions; and upon verification of at least three codes, awarding a territory control measure for the geographic territory to an entity associated with the mobile communication facility.
75 . The method of claim 74 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
76 . The method of claim 75 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
77 . The method of claim 75 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
78 . The method of claim 74 , further comprising broadcasting the territory control measure to a network.
79 . The method of claim 78 , wherein the broadcasting is to a plurality of mobile communication facility users.
80 . The method of claim 74 , wherein verification of a location is based on a location control measure.
81 . The method of claim 74 , further comprising eliminating a rival location control that is associated with a location within the geographic territory upon awarding territory control.
82 . The method of claim 81 , wherein the rival location control is associated with a rival mobile communication facility in competition for location control with the mobile communication facility.
83 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the transmission of the first, second and third codes is made using a plurality of mobile communication facilities.
84 . The method of claim 83 , wherein the plurality of mobile communication facilities comprise a team.
85 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS.
86 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation.
87 . A method comprising:
associating a code with a geographic location; tracking a transaction at the geographic location and associating the code with the transaction upon verification of a user's presence at the geographic location; calculating a revenue associated with the transaction; awarding a location control measure based on the code and the transaction; and managing distribution of a share of the revenue associated with the transaction.
88 . The method of claim 87 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
89 . The method of claim 88 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
90 . The method of claim 88 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
91 . The method of claim 88 , wherein the measure is associated with control of a territory.
92 . The method of claim 91 , wherein the territory is associated with a geographic territory.
93 . The method of claim 87 , further comprising transmitting the measure to a plurality of gaming platform users; and
retaining a portion of the revenue by the entity associated with the gaming platform.
94 . The method of claim 87 , further comprising automatically transmitting the code for the user by the entity receiving the transaction.
95 . The method of claim 87 , further comprising providing the user an incentive upon receipt of the transmitted code.
96 . The method of claim 95 , wherein the incentive is a coupon.
97 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a webpage view.
98 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is an online advertisement conversion.
99 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is an online transaction.
100 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is an online survey completion.
101 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a visit to geographic store location.
102 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a purchase at a geographic store location.
103 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a club enrollment.
104 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a credit card enrollment.
105 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a credit card purchase.
106 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a phone call.
107 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is a text message.
108 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the transaction is viewing television content.
109 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the code is transmitted using a mobile communication facility.
110 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the code is transmitted using a telecommunications land line.
111 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the code is transmitted using the internet.
112 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the code is transmitted using email.
113 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the code is transmitted using ground mail.
114 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the code is transmitted using a television.
115 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the code is transmitted using a fax.
116 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the revenue derives from advertising.
117 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the revenue derives from a purchase.
118 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the revenue derives from a sponsorship.
119 . The method of claim 87 , wherein the revenue derives from a subscription.
120 . A system comprising:
an association facility adapted to associate a geographic location with a code; a transmission facility adapted to transmit the code using a mobile communication facility; a verification facility adapted to verify the code transmission receipt at a geographic location using a location verification facility located at the geographic location; and a broadcasting facility adapted to broadcast the verification to a network.
121 . The system of claim 120 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
122 . The system of claim 121 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
123 . The system of claim 122 , wherein the location control measure is based at least in part on a distance of the mobile communication facility from the geographic location at the time of the code transmission.
124 . The system of claim 122 , wherein the location control measure is based at least in part on a criterion.
125 . The system of claim 124 , wherein the criterion is a purchase at the geographic location by the player.
126 . The system of claim 124 , wherein the criterion is a visit duration at the geographic location by the player.
127 . The system of claim 124 , wherein the criterion is a fee payment made by a user of the mobile communication facility.
128 . The system of claim 124 , wherein the criterion is a receipt of a sponsor code transmission.
129 . The system of claim 128 , wherein the sponsor code is a coupon code.
130 . The system of claim 128 , wherein the sponsor code is a proof-of-purchase code.
131 . The system of claim 121 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
132 . The system of claim 120 , wherein broadcasting the verification is to a plurality of mobile communication facility users.
133 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the verification control facility uses a local wireless network to identify a mobile communication facility of a user that is in proximity to the geographic location.
134 . The system of claim 120 , further comprising an identification facility adapted to identify whether the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of entering the code.
135 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location is a virtual geographic location.
136 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location is a retail store.
137 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location is a landmark.
138 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location is defined by a user of the mobile communication facility.
139 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location is ground level.
140 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location is subterranean.
141 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location is above ground level.
142 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS.
143 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation.
144 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the code is associated with a game scenario.
145 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the code is associated with a plurality of game scenarios.
146 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the transmission of the code is made by calling a phone number.
147 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the transmission of the code is made by sending an SMS text message.
148 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the transmission of the code is made through an Internet website.
149 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the transmission of the code invokes a fee.
150 . The system of claim 149 , wherein the fee is billed to the account associated with the mobile communication facility from which the code is transmitted.
151 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the code transmission receipt is confirmed to the mobile communication facility.
152 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast is made using the internet.
153 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast is a webpage update.
154 . The system of claim 153 , wherein the webpage update is an update of a social networking website.
155 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast in an email.
156 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast is made using a wireless provider.
157 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast is an SMS text message.
158 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast is an automated voice mail.
159 . The system of claim 158 , wherein the automated voice mail is created by a user of the mobile communication facility gaining location control of the geographic location.
160 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast is made using a wireless provider and the internet in combination.
161 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast is associated with an interactive user interface.
162 . The system of claim 161 , wherein the interactive user interface includes a map.
163 . The system of claim 162 , wherein the map is a satellite image.
164 . The system of claim 162 , wherein the map is a graphic rendering.
165 . The system of claim 162 , wherein the map is three-dimensional.
166 . The system of claim 161 , wherein the interactive user interface includes a blog.
167 . The system of claim 161 , wherein the interactive user interface includes sponsored content.
168 . The system of claim 167 , wherein the sponsored content is associated with the geographic location.
169 . The system of claim 120 , wherein the broadcast invokes a fee.
170 . The system of claim 161 , wherein the fee is billed to the account associated with the mobile communication facility from which the code is transmitted.
171 . A system comprising:
a creation facility adapted to create a code that may be entered in a mobile communication facility; an association facility adapted to associate the code with a unit of a location verification facility that may be further associated with one or more of a plurality of geographic locations; an establishment facility adapted to establish a geographic location of the mobile communication facility; a transmission facility adapted to transmit the code from the mobile communication facility; a computation facility adapted to compute with the verification facility a location verification measure associated with the geographic location and the mobile communication facility; and a broadcasting facility adapted to broadcast the measure to a network.
172 . The system of claim 171 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
173 . The system of claim 172 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
174 . The system of claim 172 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
175 . The system of claim 171 , wherein the broadcasting is to a plurality of mobile communication facility users.
176 . The system of claim 171 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS.
177 . The system of claim 171 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation.
178 . A system comprising:
an association facility adapted to associate a mobile communication facility with a plurality of mobile communication facilities, wherein the association forms a multiplayer team; an association facility adapted to associate a code with a geographic location; a transmission facility adapted to transmit the code using the mobile communication facility; an identification facility adapted to identify whether the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of entering the code; and a creation facility adapted to create a first multiplayer team score based at least in part on verifying that the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of the code transmission.
179 . The system of claim 178 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
180 . The system of claim 179 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
181 . The system of claim 179 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
182 . The system of claim 178 , further comprising a reception facility adapted to receive a second transmission of the code from at least one of the plurality of mobile communication facilities.
183 . The system of claim 178 , further comprising a creation facility adapted to create an aggregated multiplayer team score based at least in part on a combination of the code transmission and a second code transmission.
184 . The system of claim 183 , wherein the aggregated multiplayer team score is weighted based on a criterion.
185 . The system of claim 184 , wherein the criterion is a purchase at the geographic location by the player.
186 . The system of claim 184 , wherein the criterion is a visit duration at the geographic location by the player.
187 . The system of claim 178 , further comprising a conversion facility adapted to convert an aggregated multiplayer team score into a weighting of the multiplayer team's location control measure.
188 . The system of claim 187 , wherein the weighting of the multiplayer team's location control measure diminishes as a function of time.
189 . The system of claim 188 , wherein the diminution of the weighting of the multiplayer team's location control measure may be halted upon receipt of a third code transmission by at least one of the plurality of players' mobile communication facilities.
190 . The system of claim 178 , further comprising a broadcasting facility adapted to broadcast a multiplayer team's location control measure to a plurality of multiplayer teams.
191 . The system of claim 178 , wherein the association of the player's mobile communication facility with the plurality of mobile communication facilities is made using the internet.
192 . The system of claim 178 , wherein the association of the player's mobile communication facility with the plurality of mobile communication facilities is made using a wireless provider.
193 . A system comprising:
a creation facility adapted to create a first code associated with a first location, a second code associated with a second location, and a third code associated with a third location, lines among the three locations defining at least a portion of a perimeter of a geographic territory; a transmission facility adapted to transmit the first, second, and third codes using at least one mobile communication facility; a verification facility adapted to verify location of the mobile communication facility upon receipt of the codes' transmissions; and upon verification of at least three codes, an award facility adapted to award a territory control measure for the geographic territory to an entity associated with the mobile communication facility.
194 . The system of claim 193 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
195 . The system of claim 194 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
196 . The system of claim 194 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
197 . The system of claim 193 , further comprising broadcasting the territory control measure to a network.
198 . The system of claim 197 , wherein the broadcasting is to a plurality of mobile communication facility users.
199 . The system of claim 193 , wherein verification of a location is based on a location control measure.
200 . The system of claim 193 , further comprising an elimination facility adapted to eliminate a rival location control that is associated with a location within the geographic territory upon awarding territory control.
201 . The system of claim 200 , wherein the rival location control is associated with a rival mobile communication facility in competition for location control with the mobile communication facility.
202 . The system of claim 193 , wherein the transmission of the first, second and third codes is made using a plurality of mobile communication facilities.
203 . The system of claim 202 , wherein the plurality of mobile communication facilities comprise a team.
204 . The system of claim 193 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS.
205 . The system of claim 193 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation.
206 . A system comprising:
an association facility adapted to associate a code with a geographic location; a tracking facility adapted to track a transaction at the geographic location and associate the code with the transaction upon verification of a user's presence at the geographic location; a calculation facility adapted to calculate a revenue associated with the transaction; an award facility adapted to award a location control measure based on the code and the transaction; and a management facility adapted to manage distribution of a share of the revenue associated with the transaction.
207 . The system of claim 206 , wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.
208 . The system of claim 207 , wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.
209 . The system of claim 207 , wherein the measure is a territory control measure of a multiplayer game.
210 . The system of claim 207 , wherein the measure is associated with control of a territory.
211 . The system of claim 210 , wherein the territory is associated with a geographic territory.
212 . The system of claim 206 , further comprising a transmission facility adapted to transmit the measure to a plurality of gaming platform users; and
a retaining facility adapted to retain a portion of the revenue by the entity associated with the gaming platform.
213 . The system of claim 206 , further comprising a transmission facility adapted to automatically transmit the code for the user by the entity receiving the transaction.
214 . The system of claim 206 , further comprising a provision facility adapted to provide the user an incentive upon receipt of the transmitted code.
215 . The system of claim 214 , wherein the incentive is a coupon.
216 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a webpage view.
217 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is an online advertisement conversion.
218 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is an online transaction.
219 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is an online survey completion.
220 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a visit to geographic store location.
221 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a purchase at a geographic store location.
222 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a club enrollment.
223 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a credit card enrollment.
224 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a credit card purchase.
225 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a phone call.
226 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is a text message.
227 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the transaction is viewing television content.
228 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the code is transmitted using a mobile communication facility.
229 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the code is transmitted using a telecommunications land line.
230 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the code is transmitted using the internet.
231 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the code is transmitted using email.
232 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the code is transmitted using ground mail.
233 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the code is transmitted using a television.
234 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the code is transmitted using a fax.
235 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the revenue derives from advertising.
236 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the revenue derives from a purchase.
237 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the revenue derives from a sponsorship.
238 . The system of claim 206 , wherein the revenue derives from a subscription.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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