Monarch 9400™ Series
Thermal Printe r
User’s Manual
TC9400UM Rev. C 4/95 ©1988 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Each product and program carries a respective written
warranty, the only warranty on which the c ustomer can rel y.
Monarch reserves the rig ht to make changes in the product
and the programs and their availability at any time and without
notice. Although Monarch has made every effort to provide
comple te and accurate information in thi s manual, Monarch
shall not be liable for any omissions or inaccuracies. Any
update will be incorporated in a late edition of this manual.
CAUTION
This equipment can interfere with radio communication.
The equipment complies with limits for a Cla ss A
computi ng device pursuant to FCC Rules, Subpart J, Part
15, which pr ovide reasonable protection against such
interference when operated in a commercial environment.
Operation in a residenti al area can cause interference
which the user must correct at his own expense.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits
for radio noise for digital apparatus set out in the Radio
Inter ference Regul ations of the C anadian Department of
Communications.
Preface
When you firs t receive the 9400™ series printer, there are no
formats in memory. Therefore, you must enter formats before
printing tags or labels. This manual contains the information
you’ll need to design and enter your own customized formats.
It also prov i des general information about system
administration and configuring the printer.
Preface
Getti ng Started
Design i ng a Fo rm at
Entering a Format
Using the Printer Online
Configuring th e Printer
Provi des an overview of the
features, operation modes,
defaults set, and initial startup
information.
Contains informati on for
designing tags and labels.
Discusses how Format Entry
works; how to copy, modi f y an d
delet e fi e ld s or formats. It also
gives tutorials for entering each
field ty pe availabl e.
Tells you how to use your
computer with the printer to print
batches.
Descri bes password protected
features for check digits, time
and date , and onl i ne print i ng.
Prompts Reference
Contains a list of prompts and
descriptions for Format Entry
mode.
i
9400 Series User’s Manual
Other manuals you might need are:
Equipment Manual
Operator’s Handbook
Programmer’s Manual
Messages
Form at Design Tools
Manual
Contains set-up and
maintenance proced ures. How
to load suppli es and ribbons is
also incl uded.
Explains data entry and batch
control for printing. Also
includes options y ou can set for
supply requireme n ts.
Gives com m uni cations and
message structures for sending
formats and batch data online.
Lists and describes the offline
and online messages.
Contains the Format Record and
Data Entry Guide, along with
other information and tools to
help y o u d esign fo r m ats.
ii
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started...............................................................1-1
Operating Modes........................................................1-3
Supply Options...........................................................1-4
Daily Startup...............................................................1-5
Auto-online Mode...........................................1 -6
2. Designing a Format .......................................................2-1
Checking the Supply Siz e..........................................2-1
Starting Your Format Design......................................2-2
Identifying the Top of Supply......................................2-3
Rotating a Field..........................................................2-3
Rotating Characters Within a Field............................2-4
Field and Character Rotation Exampl es........2-6
Preparing Your Supply Layout ...................................2-7
Fonts and Horizontal Field Location..............2-7
Planning the Field Cont ents.......................................2-9
Recording the Field Cont ent s ..................................2-12
Defining the Supply for a Format.............................2-16
Recording Stored Formats.......................................2-18
Table of Conte nt s
3. Entering a Format..........................................................3-1
Starting Format Entry.................................................3-4
Editing and Reviewing a Format.............................. 3-37
Entering Supply Information...........................3-5
Defining the Fields .........................................3-8
Entering a Sub-field......................................3-12
Enteri ng a C ost Code Field..........................3-15
Entering a Date Field...................................3-18
Entering a Fixed Data Field .........................3-21
Entering a Price Field...................................3-24
Entering a Line Field....................................3-26
Merging Fields..............................................3-30
Entering a Graphic Field..............................3-35
iii
Table of Contents
Modifying a Format ..................................................3-38
Adding a Field..............................................3-4 0
Deleting a Field............................................3-40
Deleting a Format.........................................3-41
Renaming a Format .....................................3-41
Copying a Format.........................................3-42
Designing a Multiple Part Tag ..................................3-43
Sample Two-Part Tag...............................................3-4 4
3. Entering a Format..........................................................3-1
Kinds of Fields............................................................3-2
4. Printing Online ...............................................................4-1
Auto-online Mode.......................................................4-2
Online Errors..............................................................4-3
5. Configuring the Printer..................................................5- 1
Defining a Check Digit................................................ 5 -2
Changing Pass words.................................................5 -5
Displaying Password s................................................5-7
Setting the Time .........................................................5-8
Clearing the Time Prompt..........................................5-9
Setting the Date .......................................................5-10
Clearing the Date Prompt..........................................5-11
Selecting the Date Forma t.......................................5-11
Setting the Online Paramete rs.................................5-13
Adjusting the Print Contrast .....................................5-15
Clearing Batch Memory at Power-up.......................5-16
Clearing Batch Memory Immediately.......................5-17
Using 9420/9440 Compatible Mode.........................5-18
Using 9420/9440 Imaging Mode..............................5 -19
Using Auto -onlin e Mo d e...........................................5-21
Exiting Auto- online Mo de.........................................5-22
6. Prompts Reference........................................................6-1
Bar Code Type...........................................................6-1
iv
9400 Series User’s Manual
Bar Code Densi ty.......................................................6-3
Bar Code Densities (Parall el Pri nt)................6-4
Bar Code Densities (Serial Print)...................6-5
Bar Code Heigh t.........................................................6-5
Bar Code - Human R eadable Char acters..................6-6
Check Digits...............................................................6-7
Check Digit Scheme...................................................6-8
Cost Code Field .........................................................6-9
Data Entry Prompt....................................................6-10
Date and T ime Field s...............................................6-1 1
Field Length..............................................................6-12
Field Location...........................................................6-13
Field T ypes...............................................................6-14
Fixed Characters......................................................6-15
Fixed Data Field.......................................................6 -16
Fonts ........................................................................6-17
Printable Characters ................................................6-18
Font Magni fication (Sizes ) ........................................6-19
9425/9445 Font Magnification..................................6-20
9420/9440 Font Magnification..................................6-20
Graphics...................................................................6-21
Include Price Check D igit.........................................6-22
Incrementin g or Decremen ting a Field.....................6-23
Lines.........................................................................6-24
Line Width Select ions...............................................6-25
Horizontal Line Widt hs.................................6-25
Vertical Line Widths..................................................6-26
Merged Fi eld ............................................................6 -27
Number of Characters..............................................6-29
Price Field................................................................6-30
Print Color................................................................6-31
Print Color Samples.....................................6-31
Stock Dimensions.................................................... 6-3 2
Sub-fields.................................................................6-32
Text Fields................................................................6-34
Time Fields...............................................................6-34
Top of Field...............................................................6-35
Top of Character.......................................................6-35
Type of Data.............................................................6-36
V e rify Fields..............................................................6-36
Table of Conte nt s
v
Table of Contents
Appendix A - Code 128 I nfor mation...................................A-1
Bar Code Width..........................................................A-2
Quiet Zone..................................................................A-4
Function Codes..........................................................A-5
Table A-1. 128 Bar Code Cha racte r Se ts..................A-6
vi
1. Getting Started
The 9400™ Series Thermal Printers let you enter your own
format image for printing batches of data. A format is the
arrang ement of fields on the supply. Each field is a group of
data that prints in a specific place on the tag or label. The
printer uses both thermal direct or ribbon printing on tags and
labels.
The number of formats you store depends on how many fields
you design into each form at. The number and size of yo ur
formats may reduce the number of batches you can enter at
one time.
You can operate this printer
computer). The Online feature communicates with your
computer system for transferring data batches and formats to
the printer. For more informa tion about Online see section 4,
"Printi ng Online."
The flexibility of this printer provides:
offline
(manually) or
online
(with a
• Six font styles (three with proportiona l spac i n g).
• The ability to print three of the font styles in ten different
sizes.
• Nine different bar codes (including expanded UPC and
EAN) with variable bar length, and special density
option.
• Incrementing or decrementing within a field.
• The ability to create sub-fields from a regular field (print
multipl e fi el ds from data entered once by the operator).
Getting Started
• A merged field for combining data from up to four other
fields.
• Fixed data for saving the operator time at data entry.
• Two print colors; blac k and reverse print i ng.
1-1
9400 Series User’s Manual
• Graphi c li nes to underline or box-in a field.
• Graphic images (such as your company logo)
downloaded from your host computer.
• The ability to rotate individual fields, or characters within
a field.
• A
There are three password-protected modes: Format Entry
mode, Printer Configuration mode, and Auto-online mode.
One person should have access to these functions and should
serve as th e syste m ad mi n istrator. The syst e m ad mi n istr a to r
can custom i ze the printer to meet spe cific printi ng needs.
Here are some features to consider setting when you first
receive the printer.
Test
function that lets you test your format as you
design it.
• A daily startup routine for the operators. You can select
the time and dat e to appear for each startup.
• Security passwords for Format Entry mode, Printer
Configuration mode, and Auto-online mode. You can
enter unique passwords for your use.
• A special check digit calculation. You can enter check
digit calcul ations spec ific to your ope ration.
• Online usage. Y ou must set the parameters for
communication with your host computer before going
online.
Procedures for thes e features are in sec tion 5, "Configuri ng
the Printer."
1-2
1. Getting Started
Operating Modes
The printer contains menus to show you the options available.
From the Select Operation Mode menu, also called the
menu
, you can select seven different operation modes.
Data Entry Lets the ope rator enter data for a sp ecific
format. Refer to the
Operator’s Handbook
for data entry instructions.
Format Entry Lets management add, modify, copy or
delete formats. This mode requires a
password.
Batch Control Lets the ope rator monitor the activity and
printing priority of batches in the print
queue. The
Operator’s Handbook
informa tion for using this mode.
main
has
Getting Started
Online Supports the transmi ssion of data batches
and formats for a host computer to the
printer.
Printer Opti o n s Lets you set the printer to meet specific
supply requirements. Refer to the
Printer
Configuration
Operator’s Handbook
Lets management define printer setups for
daily operation. This mode requires a
to set these options.
password.
Version Displays the identification number for the
printer’s software. Give this number to
Monarch Service when calling about
problems or questions. Refer to the
Messages
manual for more information.
1-3
9400 Series User’s Manual
The chart below shows each operation mode, and its intended
user.
Select
Operation
Mode
Data
Entry
Format
Entry
Manager* Operator Manager*
* Password requi red for entr y
Batch
Control
OperatorOperator Operator/
Online Printer
Printer
Options
Manager
Version
Operator/
Manager
Config.
Supply Options
These are the printer options set at the factory:
Printer Option Default
1. Use Batch Separators No
2. Adjust Cut Po sit i on Increas e at 0
3. Adju st Pr i n t Po s ition Incre ase at 0
4. Define Cost Code None set
5. Define Supply Ty pe Black Mark/Aperture
6. Define Monetary Symbol Dollar ($)
7. Use Cent Si gn i n Pri ce Fields No
8. Define Numbering System English
9. Define Print Mode Continuous
10. Use Batch Names No
To change these options, refer to "Setting Printer Options" in
the
Operator’s Handbook
1-4
.
1. Getting Started
Daily Startup
CAUTION
Turning the printer on and off rapidly can cause i t to
malfunction. If you have turned the print on (or off), wait 10
seconds before turning it back off (or on).
When you first turn the power on you’ll see:
• the copyri ght message
• the date and ti m e prompts if they are set
Then you’ll see
Select Sup p ly Type: B
A)lign, B)lack Mark or D)ie Cut
• Press
E
if you are using black mark or aperture
supplie s.
• Type D and press
E
if you are using die cut
supplies.
• Type A and press
E
to calibrate the printer.
Next you’ll see the main menu:
Select Operating Mode: ↓
Data Entry __
Press D to display the mode you want, then press
select the mode.
E
Getting Started
to
If you want to enter a time or a date at daily startup, go to
sectio n 5, "C onfiguring the Printer." You c an set the time and
date to display each time you turn the power on. The
procedure for daily startup is in the
Operator’ s Handbook
.
1-5
9400 Series User’s Manual
Auto-online Mode
If your printer is set for Auto-online mode, daily startup is
different. The printer is online as soon as you turn it on. When
you turn the printer on, you’ll see:
• the copyri ght message
• the date and ti m e prompts if they are set.
Then you’ll see
Online Mode Ready:
For more information about Auto-online mode, see "Printing
Online."
1-6
2. Designing a Format
Section 2 and 3 contain tutorials for planning and entering a
tag or label design (format). This section shows you how to
design a format using the four steps below.
1. Determine the basic elements and the fields for your design.
2. Prepare your supply layout for field locations.
3. Define the secondary elements of your design.
4. Record all design elements for format entry.
Section 3 shows samples of the different fields you can use in
a format.
Checking the Supply Size
It is important that you know the exact size of the suppl y you’re
using. The sensors in the printer check the supply length as it
feeds out of the printer. The size you enter in Format Ent r y
mode tells the printer what size to check for. In Format Entry,
the size is also used to determine whether the fields you enter
fit the width of the supply .
When measuring aperture supp l i es and black mark suppli es,
measure from top to top as shown.
Tag
Length
Tag
Length
Designing a Format
Black Sensor Mark
Measurement
Aperture
Measurement
2-1
9400 Series User’s Manual
Starting Your Format Design
To prepare a layout of your format design, you must define its
basic elements. You must decide the:
• Size of the supply.
• Numb er of fields to be pr inted on this supply.
• Types of fields that will be printed (bar code, line,
graphics or text).
• Location of each field.
• Maxim um data length for each field.
• Font style and size for each field.
• Direction each field will be rotated for printing. See
"Rotati ng a Field."
Section 3 contains a tutorial for entering the sample format you
are about to des ign. The design for the sample format has:
• Supply size of 1.20 inches wide by 2.00 inches l ong.
• Field rotation of TOP (the top of each field poin ts toward
the top of the supply).
• Five regular fields, a sub-field, a merged field, and a
graphic box around the date field.
Here’s a print sample of
our design:
2-2
2. Designing a Format
Identifying the Top of Supply
The
top
of the supply is the cut edge (the side that exits the
printer last). The
bottom
side that exits the pr int first ) . The figure below shows the top
edge and the b ottom edge of the suppl y.
Top
of the supply is the leading edge (the
Bottom
Rotating a Field
There are four directions you can print a field on the supply:
TOP The top of th e field points to the top edge of
the supply.
LEFT The top of the field points to the left edge of
the supply.
BOTTOM The top of the field points to the bottom
edge of the supply.
RIGHT The top of the field points to the right edge
of the supply.
Designing a Format
2-3
9400 Series User’s Manual
The pivot point for the field is
the horizontal/vertical locat i on
you choose in Format Entr y.
It is possible to rotate the field
completely or partially off the
supply. Make sure you all ow
for the rotat i on you select
when you choose the field
location. The field and
character rotation examples
later in this section show how
a field moves when it is
rotated.
Rotating Characters Within a Field
There are tw o directions you can print a character with i n a field:
TOP The top of the character points to the top of
the field.
LEFT The top of the character points to the left
side of the field.
Notice that the characters shift. The pivot point is shown for
each rotation.
Left Top
In the examples the field uses TOP rotation as discussed in
"Rotating a Field." You specify both field and character
rotation in Format Entry mode. The field and character
rotation examples later in this section show how a character
moves when i t is rotated.
2-4
2. Designing a Format
When rotating a field and its ch aracters, make sure the
rotations you select are compatible. The horizontal/vertical
location you choose in format entry is the pivot point for both
the field and the character rotation.
This sample is set up as follows:
Field Rot a tion: LEFT
(all fields except price)
Character Rotation: TOP
Price (field) Rotation: BOTTOM
2-5
Designing a Format
9400 Series User’s Manual
Field and Character Rotation Examples
Field Rotations:
In the examples below, the
Character Rotations:
In the examples below, the
character
field
rotation is set at TOP.
rotati on i s se t a t TOP.
Top Left
2-6
2. Designing a Format
Preparing Your Supply Layout
Once you know the basic elements you want for your format,
place them on a Supply Layout form. This helps you
determine the exact print location of each field. For your
convenience, blank Supply Layout forms for English and
Metric syst e ms ar e in Form a t Desi gn Tools. Inform at io n ab out
font sizes and magnification is also in the
Manual
and Section 6, "Prompts Re ference."
1. Mark off the supply size used with this format design on
the supply la yout form.
2. Pencil in the possible location of each field. As you place
the different fields, decide where you want the top of each
field and the top of the charact ers within each field.
Format Design Tools
3. Sketch in the bar code and the data for each field.
Fonts and Horizontal Field Location
You can choose whether you want to print using:
• 9425/ 9445/9465 fonts (character sets) and horizontal
field locations
• 9420/9440 fonts and horizontal field locations.
The alphabetic characters in the 9425, 9445, and 9465 printer
fonts (exc ept OCR) are pro portional. This means that each
letter uses only as much space as it needs (the letter I, for
instance, occupies much less s pace than the let ter M). All ten
numeric characters in each font take up the same amount of
space, whether the number is a 1 or, for instance, a 0. This
makes numbers line up correctly when you print them in
columns.
The char acters in the 9420 and 9440 printers are
monospaced. Every character takes up the same amount of
space.
Designing a Format
The horizontal field location on the 9425, 9445, and 9465
printers starts at the dot nearest to the location you enter
(nearest 0.0052 inch).
2-7
9400 Series User’s Manual
On the 9420 and 9440 printers, the horizontal field location
starts at the nearest 8th dot (nearest 0.04 inch) to the location
you enter.
You’ll find more information about proportional and
monos paced fonts and horizontal field loc ati on in "Prompts
Reference" and in the
Form at Design Tools
manual.
The Supply Layout below shows our sample format design.
Supply Layout
(inches)
Box
Cost
Code
Fixed
Data
Date
Field
UPC-A
Bar Code
Price
Merged
Field
Sub-field
2-8
2. Designing a Format
Planning the Field Contents
Now you are ready to decide on the contents of your fields.
For text fields such as: date, time, price, or cost code you
must decide:
• Which fields are regular fields and which are sub-fields?
(Sub-fiel ds are created from regular field data. )
• What prompt should the operator see at data entry?
• Is the field length fixed or variable?
• Is the print color black or whi te (reversed)?
• Should certain field position s increment or dec rement?
• Is there a check digit? If so , which calcul ation schem e
is used? How is the check digit generated (operator
entry or automatic)?
NOTE: If you want to use a check digit, you’ll need to
define the calculation scheme in Printer
Configuration mode
"Defining a Check Digit" in section 5.
before
format entry . See
• Is this a verify field ?
• Is the data at data entry to be numbers, letters, or
either?
• Which direction shoul d the c haracters print wit hi n the
field?
• Are there any fixed characters (characters that are
always the sam e) i n the format?
Section 6, "Prompts Reference" contains all the prompts for
Format Entry mode, and the permitted v al ues.
Designing a Format
2-9
9400 Series User’s Manual
When you enter a bar code field you must decide on some
value s. Others are pre-set. The UPC- A, UPC-E, EAN-8, and
EAN-13 bar codes have some values that are pre-set and
can’t be changed. You don’t see prompts for them when you
define UPC or EAN bar code fields. These values are:
• Data Type (numeric)
• Field length (fixed)
• Numb er of characters (depends on bar code ty pe)
• Density (standard)
The following table shows the options for each bar code type.
2-10
2. Designing a Format
Prompt UPCA/
UPCE
Barcode
height
Barcode
density
Human
Readable
Characters
Include
extended
characters
Cost code
field
Length of
UPC barco de
Field Lengt h ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
Number of
characters
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
✔✔
✔✔
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
✔✔
EAN8/
EAN13
Code 39I 2 of 5 NW7 Code
128
✔✔ ✔✔
✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
*
MSI
Auto inc/dec
field
Check digi t ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
CD scheme
number
Mark
positions
Includ e M od
43 CD
Verify field ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
Select type
of data
Enter fixed
characters
* I 2 of 5 must have an
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
even
✔ ✔ ✔✔✔
✔✔✔
✔✔✔
✔
✔✔✔✔
number of data digits.
For more information about these options, see section 6,
"Prompts Reference."
Designing a Format
2-11
9400 Series User’s Manual
Recording the Field Contents
Using your format design, record the values you’ll be using to
enter the format. The following pages list the values used for
our samp l e design fields. Section 3 contains tutorials for
enter i ng each field in Format Entry mo de.
The options and values below are for fields 1 (bar code) and 2
(sub-field).
Option Field 1
Field 01 P
Data entry
prompt
Enter locat i on 0.1/1.0
Top of field T
Enter type of
field
Select barc ode UPCA
Barcode height 0.75
Human
readable
Include
extended char
Bar code
densit y
Cost code N
Length of U PC
barcode
UPCA
B
B
Y
1
S
Option Field 2
Field 02 S
Enter field
number to use
Enter locat i on 0.1/0.2
Top of field T
Enter type of
field
Select fiel d font S
Font
magnification
Top of
charact e rs
Enter the pr i nt
color
Formatti ng B
Mark
characters to
use
1
T
1
T
B
space, 4 X’s
Check digi t G
Price check
digit
Verify field N
Enter fixed
characters
ENTER = Pres s
E
2-12
N
ENTER
to skip this option.
2. Designing a Format
The options and values below are for field 3 (cost code), field 4
(date), field 5 (fixed data), and field 6 (price).
Option Field 3 Field 4 Field 5 Field 6
Field nn P P F P
Data entry
prompt
Enter
location
Top of field T T T T
Enter type
of field
Select field
font
Font
magnification
Top of
charact e rs
Enter the
print color
Cost code Y N N N
Price field N N - Y
Time or date
field
COST
CODE
0.1/1.89 0.75/1.89 0.1/0.6 0.6/0.6
TTTT
SRSR
1112
TTTT
BBBB
NDN-
DATE - PRICE
Field leng th V - - Number of
characters
Auto inc/dec
field
Check digi t N - N Verify field N - - N
Select type
of data
Enter fixed
characters
3-46*
--N-
N-- -
ENTER - SALE -
* Length includes the monetary symbols for price fields.
- Option is not avail able for this field type.
ENTER = Pres s
E
to skip this option.
Designing a Format
2-13
9400 Series User’s Manual
The options and values below are for fields 7, 8, 9, and 10,
which make up the line box.
Option Field 7 Field 8 Field 9 Field 10
Field nn L L L L
Enter
location
Line
Horiz/Vert
Stop location 2.01 1.15 1.15 2.03
Width of line 4 4 4 4
0.64/1.85 0.64/1.85 0. 64/ 2. 01 1.14/1.85
VHHV
2-14
2. Designing a Format
The values below are for field 1 1 (merged field).
Option Field 11
Field 11 M
Enter location 0.7/0.2
Top of field T
Enter type of field T
Select field f ont R
Font magnifi cat ion 1
Top of characters T
Enter the prin t
color
Field length V
Number of
characte rs
Che ck di git N
Enter fix e d
characters
Enter fiel d
number to use
Formatting B
DST: GHIJK
Padding L
Pad char 0
Merge another? Y
Field to use 6
Formatting B
DST: ABCD
B
9
ENTER
1
Designing a Format
ENTER = Pres s
Padding L
Enter pad
character
Merge another
field
E
to skip this option.
0
N
2-15
9400 Series User’s Manual
Defining the Supply for a Format
You’ll also need to decide the following items.
Number of parts The number of times the dat a prints across
the tag width. The supply may or may not
be perforated. For example, if you want the
data to print only once on the tag, then
enter 1 for
one part
"Creating a Multiple Part T a g" tells you how
to create multiple part tags.
Values: 1-5
Cutting Whether yo u wa nt cuts between each tag
or set of tags. You can answ er "yes" to this
prompt only if your printer has a knife. A
"no" answer prints all the tag s in one s trip.
Values: Y (yes) or N (no)
supply. The section
Cut last ticket Do you want to cut the last tag or label in a
batch as soon as you print it? (Normally,
the last tag of label remains in the printer
until the next batch begins to print). Y ou
only see this prom pt if you answer "yes" to
the
Cutting
prompt.
NOTE: If you choose, Y the printing shift s
0.78 inch toward the top of the supply (the
edge of the supply that exits the printer
last). Ch oose N if your format has fields on
the first 0.78 inch.
Values: 1-9999
Cut multiple The number of tags or labels printed
between cuts as a set. For example, if you
want two copies of each tag, choose a cu t
multiple of 2. This prompt only appears if
you answered "yes" to the
Cutting
prompt.
Values: 1-9999
2-16
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