| What is claimed is: 1. An indicator assembly comprising: a housing; an indicator board locatable within said housing and having at least one indicator element thereon; at least one orientation sensor mounted on said indicator board for sensing orientation thereof; and a processing circuit in communication with said at least one orientation sensor and said at least one indicator element, wherein said processing circuit is configured to receive information from said at least one orientation sensor indicating said orientation of said indicator board, to select one of a plurality of corresponding indicator patterns and to output said indication pattern to said at least one indicator element, wherein each of the plurality of indicator patterns is associated with a unique orientation of the indicator board. 2. The indicator assembly of claim 1 wherein said indicator board comprises a circuit board. 3. The indicator assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator element comprises a visual indicator. 4. The indicator assembly of claim 3 wherein said at least one indicator element comprises a light emitting diode. 5. The indicator assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator element comprises an auditory indicator. 6. The indicator assembly of claim 1 wherein said processing circuit comprises a central processing unit wherein said apparatus further comprises computer readable media operable to store data corresponding to a plurality of indicator patterns wherein said central processing unit is configured to retrieve data representing a unique indicator pattern corresponding to an orientation sensed by said at least one orientation sensor and to output said unique indicator pattern to said at least one indicator element. 7. The indicator assembly of claim 6 wherein said processing circuit and an associate computer readable media are located on said indicator board. 8. The indicator assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for communicating with an adjacent indicator assembly for synchronizing the illumination pattern therewith. 9. The indicator assembly of claim 8 wherein said means for communicating comprises a synchronizing link in electrical connection with said adjacent indicator assembly. 10. The indicator assembly of claim 9 further comprising an input terminal having a port in electrical connection with said synchronizing link. 11. The indicator assembly of claim 10 wherein said input terminal further includes a power input in electrical connection with a power supply. 12. The indicator assembly of claim 10 wherein said input terminal further includes a signal input in electrical connection with a signal actuation device. 13. A method for controlling intermittent signaling of a multifunction indicator having at least one indicator element, the method comprising the steps of: providing a housing mountable to a surface of a vehicle; locating an indicator board within said housing, said indicator board containing said at least one indicator element, sensing an orientation of the indicator board, and selecting an indicator pattern corresponding to said orientation of the indicator housing. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of sensing comprises sensing an orientation of said indicator board within said housing. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of sensing comprises sensing an angle of orientation about a substantially horizontal axis. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said housing is rotatable about a horizontal axis to a plurality of orientations. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein said orientation may be sensed by at least one tilt sensor. 18. The method of claim 13 further comprising synchronizing the illumination pattern with an associated multifunction indicator. 19. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving an input signal at one multifunction indicator, said one multifunction indicator selecting an indicator pattern corresponding to an orientation of that multifunction indicator and transmitting said indicator pattern to a plurality of associated multifunction indicators. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said input signal comprises one of a plurality of input signals. |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of priority from United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/282,674 filed March 15, 2010 entitled Multifunction Light.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present disclosure relates to indicators in general and in particular to a method and apparatus for controlling a multipurpose indicator.
2. Description of Related Art
Frequently, it is desirable or required by local regulations to synchronize indicators such as warning lights applied to a rear of a vehicle. For example, it is frequently necessary to intermittently flash the left and right associated lights relative to each other. In some applications, the left light will be flashed as a strobe for a predetermined time period while the right light is inactive. Thereafter the right light will be flashed as a strobe while the left light is inactive.
For co-ordinated or synchronized applications, it is frequently necessary that such associated lights communicate with each other to ensure proper synchronization therebetween. Examples of such synchronized lights may be found in US Patent No. 6,842,111 to Smithson, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Problematically, synchronization of associated lights requires such lights to be designated as either a left or a right side light in the case of a two light set. For four light sets, each light must be designated as a top right, top left, bottom right or bottom left light. Each of the lights comprising an associated set must have a flash or illumination pattern synchronized with the other lights, however, the illumination of each light may be at a different time relative to each other depending upon the application.
It will therefore be appreciated that each light in a conventional associated set must be different from each other so as to illuminate at a different time in the synchronized pattern. In conventional systems, this requires each light in the associated set to be a unique light having a unique program from each other.
Such requirement for each light in the set to be of a specific design results in duplication of parts which are expensive and more difficult to produce as well as more costly to stock replacements for each light unit. Having each light be designed as unique from each other also makes installation of associated sets more difficult as it is necessary to ensure that each unique light is located in the appropriate place. There are also many regulations regarding flash patterns, number of flashes, the number of lamps, speed of flash with different requirements for each state, province and industry as well as fleet and customer preferences. Current suppliers of these products therefore have hundreds of versions of LED lamps to meet all of the requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an indicator assembly comprising a housing, an indicator board locatable within the housing and having at least one indicator element thereon and at least one orientation sensor mounted on the indicator board for sensing orientation thereof. The indicator assembly further includes a processing circuit in communication with the at least one orientation sensor and the at least one indicator element. The processing circuit is configured to receive information from the at least one orientation sensor indicating the orientation of the indicator board, to select one of a plurality of corresponding indicator patterns and to output the indication pattern to the at least one indicator element wherein each of the plurality of indicator patterns is associated with a unique orientation of the indicator board. The indicator board may comprise a circuit board. The at least one indicator element may comprise a visual indicator. The at least one indicator element may comprise a light emitting diode. The at least one indicator element may comprise an auditory indicator.
The processing circuit may comprise a central processing unit wherein the apparatus further comprises computer readable media operable to store data corresponding to a plurality of indicator patterns wherein the central processing unit is configured to retrieve data representing a unique indicator pattern corresponding to an orientation sensed by the at least one orientation sensor and to output the unique indicator pattern to the at least one indicator element. The processing circuit and the computer readable media may be located on the indicator board.
The indicator assembly may further comprise means for communicating with an adjacent indicator assembly for synchronizing the illumination pattern therewith. The means for communicating may comprise a synchronizing link in electrical connection with the adjacent indicator assembly. The indicator assembly may further comprise an input terminal having a port in electrical connection with the synchronizing link. The input terminal may further include a power input in electrical connection with a power supply. The input terminal further includes a signal input in electrical connection with a signal actuation device.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method for controlling intermittent signaling of a multifunction indicator having at least one indicator element. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing mountable to a surface of a vehicle, locating an indicator board within the housing, the indicator board containing the at least one indicator element. The method further comprises sensing an orientation of the indicator board and selecting an indicator pattern corresponding to the orientation of the indicator housing. The step of sensing may comprise sensing an orientation of the indicator board within the housing. The step of sensing may comprise sensing an angle of orientation about a substantially horizontal axis. The housing may be rotatable about a horizontal axis to a plurality of orientations. The orientation may be sensed by at least one tilt sensor.
The method may further comprise synchronizing the illumination pattern with an associated multifunction indicator. The method may further comprise receiving an input signal at one multifunction indicator, the one multifunction indicator selecting an indicator pattern corresponding to an orientation of that multifunction indicator and transmitting the indicator pattern to a plurality of associated multifunction indicators. The input signal may comprise one of a plurality of input signals. Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,
Figure 1 is a block diagram of two multifunction lights according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the printed circuit board for use in the multifunction light of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the printed circuit board of
Figure 2 as located within an indicator housing.
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the two multifunction lights of Figure 2
according to a first embodiment.
Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the four multifunction lights of Figure 2
according to a further embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1 , two multifunction indicators according to a first embodiment having synchronized indication patterns are each shown generally at 10. As illustrated in Figure 1 , the two or more multifunction indicators 10 may be associated with each other and controlled by switches or other suitable means. As illustrated herein, the multifunction indicators are shown as indicator lights however it will be appreciated that any other suitable indicators may be utilized as well, such as by way of non-limiting example, sirens, back-up alarms or any other known indicator type. In particular, the multifunction indicator 10 may be mounted at the rear of a vehicle for use as a 2 lamp (as illustrated in Figure 1 ) or 4 indicator lamp system although other numbers of associated lights may be utilized as well. The multifunction indicator 10 utilizes an embedded processor circuit with at least one orientation sensor to determine the orientation of that indicator and create the desired user interface and functionality as will be further described below.
The orientation sensor is selected to be operable to determine the orientation about one or more axis and to provide information relating to that orientation to the processor circuit. More generally, in this specification, including the claims, the term "orientation sensor" is intended to broadly encompass any type of device or combination of devices capable of performing the functions described herein, including (without limitation) tilt sensors, angular position sensors, accelerometers, rotation sensors or gyroscopes. Each indicator may include one or more orientation sensor adapted to determine the orientation of the indicator. In particular, a tilt-type sensor may be utilized to determine when the indicator has been oriented to a predetermined angle or range of angles and provide a signal to the processing circuit when the indicator is oriented within that range. More than one tilt sensor may be utilized to provide multiple angles of orientation as will be described below wherein the processing circuit utilizes the combined results of these plurality of orientation sensors to determine the orientation of the indicator. Furthermore, multi-axis angular position sensors or accelerometers may be utilized to provide a measurement of the orientation angle of the indicator to the processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit then adjusts its function depending upon the angle provided to it by the multi-axis angular position sensor or accelerometer.
A battery 6, vehicle alternator or other suitable power supply may provide power to a main assembly switch 8 which then in turn provides power both of the indicators 10. It will be appreciated that the power supply from the main assembly switch may be received at a power block (not shown) as is conventionally known in the art. The system may further include a left switch 7a and a right switch 7b each connected to a corresponding left and right multifunction indicator 10 as illustrated in Figure 1 so as to provide an input signal to the multifunction indicators 10. It will be appreciated that the indicators 10 may be powered either directly and continuously utilizing a dedicated power supply line from the battery or electrical system of the vehicle as is illustrated in Figure 1 or may optionally be powered through the left and right switches 7a and 7b according to known methods in the art. It will be appreciated that any suitable switch such as, by way of non-limiting example a cab mounted switch, transmission interlock or brake light switch may be used as any of the switches 8, 7a or 7b. In particular, the main system switch 8 may comprise a cab mounted switch or interlock whereas the left and right switches may comprise the left and right turn signals of the vehicle such that selection of the left or right turn signal by the operator will select which pattern the indicators are to operate on as will be further described below by way of non-limiting example. Further methods of supplying power to and actuating the indicators will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
Each multifunction light 10 comprises a processor circuit 12, at least one switch sensor 14, at least one orientation sensor 22 and at least one indicator element which, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , may comprise a lighting element arranged in a lighting array 16. In this embodiment, the processor circuit includes a microprocessor, such as for example, a Microchip PIC 16F688 by way of non-limiting example although it will be appreciated that other controllers or discreet electronics will be suitable as well. The multifunction indicators 10 utilize a sync wire 21 to communicate between associated multifunction indicators 10 through mode communication ports 20 included therein. The mode communication ports 20 communicate timing and function of illumination patters between associated multifunction lights 10.
The indicator 10 communicate using a communication protocol as are commonly known in the art to synchronize the indicator pattern outputted by each multifunction indicator as will be more fully described below.
More generally, in this specification, including the claims, the term "processor circuit" is intended to broadly encompass any type of device or combination of devices capable of performing the functions described herein, including (without limitation) other types of microprocessors, microcontrollers, other integrated circuits, other types of circuits or combinations of circuits, logic gates or gate arrays, or programmable devices of any sort, either alone or in combination with other such devices located at the same location or remotely from each other. Additional types of processor circuits will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of this specification, and substitution of any such other types of processor circuits is considered not to depart from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
As illustrated in Figure 1 , the indicator elements may comprise light emitting diode (LED) arrays 16, although other light types may also be utilized, which are enabled by one or more LED switch or driver 18. The LED switch is selectably enabled by the processor circuit 12 which may be mounted within a light housing (not shown in Figure 1 ) with the LED array 16 and LED switch 18. The switch sensor 14 receives a power or data signal from the left or right switch 7a or 7b to selectably cause the processor circuit 12 to activate the LED switch 18 and thereby the LED array 16.
Each multifunction indicator 10 also includes a memory device 24 storing data representing a sensed orientation of the multifunction indicator 10 wherein each unique orientation of the multifunction indicator 10 has a corresponding unique indicator pattern. It will be appreciated that many types of memory devices 24 may be utilized to direct the processor circuit 12 to perform the functions associated with the various routines described herein. Alternatively, such routines may be provided as software stored on a different medium such random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories such as EPROMs, EEPROMs or FLASH memories, for example, or any other type of memory device, either at the location of the processor circuit or located remotely therefrom, may be substituted if desired. It will also be appreciated that the functions of the processor circuit 12 and memory 24 may be provided by an application specific logic array designed to provide the functions as set out below, such as by way of non-limiting example an application specific integrated circuit. Turning now to Figure 2, a printed circuit board (PCB) 40 for use in the multifunction light 10 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the PCB may consist of a double sided FR4 printed circuit board measuring 53mm x 60mm, designed to fit into a housing for the multifunction light, such as by way of non-limiting example, a 7-LED plastic housing. It will be appreciated that printed circuit boards 40 of different dimensions and having differing quantities of LED lights or other indicators may also be useful depending upon the application for which they are intended. The connections to the inputs and outputs of the PCB may be made through 4 PCB mounted Zierick 1266 / 6266 Dual Entry Receptacles or any other known connector type. A wiring harness 47 may be electrically connected to either the housing 44 or the connectors on the PCB 40 by any commonly known method so as to transmit power and signals to the PCB as will be further described below. The PCB may be mounted to a plastic or other suitable indicator housing 44 with fasteners 46, such as, by way of non-limiting example 3 x 4-40 self threading screws passed through fastener bores 43 within the PCB 40. It will be appreciated that other dimensions and parts for use in the multifunction light may also be utilized to provide the same function as described herein. Thereafter, an indicator lens 48 may be located within an opening in the housing 44 so as to enclose the printed circuit board 40 therein.
The multifunction indicator 10 of Figure 2 includes a plurality of LED lights 42 secured to the PCB as illustrated in Figure 2. The LED lights 42 may comprise Osram Golden Dragon LEDs with positions on the PCB that match the 7-LED optics of the housing. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may have different LEDs and positions of the LEDs as desired by a user. An optional aluminum heat sink may be incorporated in the design of the PCB to draw heat away from the LEDs. In some applications, an aluminum clad PCB substrate may be utilized to further improve LED-to-heat sink thermal connectivity. To reduce the total current drawn by the lamp, the LED lights 42 in the LED array 16 may also be connected in series. A boost regulator circuit may also be used to create the higher voltages needed for the voltage drops across the LEDs.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the PCB 40 may include two tilt switches 22a and 22b being oriented to sense first and second directions, generally indicated at 23a and 23b, respectively of the PCB. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the tilt switches 22a and 22b may be selected to be open when the first or second directions, 23a or 23b, respectively, are oriented generally upwardly. Examples of such tilt switches may be a Signal-Quest SQ-SEN-390 by way of non-limiting example. It will be appreciated that other types of tilt switches may also be utilized to provide data to the processing circuit 12 as to the orientation of the multipurpose lights. It will also be appreciated that other sensors or indicators for determining the rotational orientation of the multifunction light 10 may be utilized. In particular, a plurality of hall effects sensors may be located on the PCB 40 for determining the orientation of the PCB relative to at least one magnet in the housing or on the vehicle. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the printed circuited board 40 may be provided with lights, and the tilt sensors for implementation into existing light housings. In such embodiments, the printed circuit board with orientation sensors may be rotated relative to and selectably secured within the housing to select the desired function. In other embodiments, the PCB 40 may be fixedly located within the housing 44 and the entire housing 44 and PCB may be rotated as a unit to the desired orientation. By way of non-limiting example, for the arrangement of two tilt switches, the processing circuit 12 receives data from the tilt switches to determine the orientation of the multifunction light 10 about a horizontal axis according to Table 1.
Table 1 : Tilt Switch Logic
Switch 0 Deg 90 Deg 180 Deg 270 Deg
Switch 1 Open Closed Closed Open
Switch 2 Closed Closed Open Open
Each orientation in Table 1 is determined by the processing circuit 12 by reading whether each of the first and second tilt switches 22a and 22b are open or closed. The processing circuit 12 looks up appropriate information as stored in the memory 24 relating to the timing of that indicator relative to other multifunction indicator based upon the relative position of the light as indicated by the tilt switches 22a and 22b. The processing circuits 12 then adjusts the timing or pattern of the illumination of that multifunction light relative to the other multifunction lights in the set.
In some embodiments, the processor circuit 12 utilizes the angular orientation of that multifunction indicator 10 to determine which location on the vehicle that indicator is positioned at relative to the other associated multifunction indicator. By way of non-limiting example a rotation of 0 degrees as set out in Table 1 , above, may indicate that that multifunction indicator is positioned at the left hand side of the vehicle whereas a rotation of 180 degrees may indicate that the multifunction indicator is positions to a right hand side of the vehicle. Turning now to Figure 3, an illustration of a two-multifunction light set is illustrated having left and right lights, 50 and 52, respectively. As described below, an input signal may be provided to one or both of the lights in the set so as to provide further criteria for the selection of the illumination pattern for the set. As illustrated, the left and right lights 50 and 52 are identical to each other with the right light rotated 180 degrees about a horizontal axis relative to the left light. In such a position, the memory 24 indicates to the processor circuits 12 that the right light is in the right position and should therefore illuminate according to the right light pattern and timing contained within the memory corresponding to that position. The processor and memory of the left light will similarly provide the appropriate illumination pattern and timing for a left light based upon the orientation provided by the tilt switches.
When the two multifunction lights are installed in such a manner, and the input on the left lamp is connected to a +12 volt input, both lamps will provide double flash alternating (left to right) operation known as Pattern 1. When input on the right lamp is connected to a +12 volt input, both lamps will provide quad flash alternating (left to right) operation known as Pattern 2. When the input on the right lamp 52 and left 50 are each connected to a +12 volt input, both lamps will provide quad flash synchronized concurrent (left & right) operation known as Pattern 3.
In each of these above examples, when one indicator receives a power signal, each indicator determines its position according to the orientation sensors and transmits this information along with which indicator is receiving the input signal to the other indicators. Each indicator then selects the appropriate pattern as well as its position in that pattern based upon this information. A master indicator is designated from this information as well and may optionally be the indicator to receive an input signal or by reference to a position priority list. The master indicator then provides a synchronizing signal to the other indicators through the synchronizing wire 21 for synchronized operation. Optionally, the master indicator may be determined based upon the above criteria and select the pattern for the entire set. The master indicator may then transmit both the pattern and the synchronizing signal to the other indicators. It will be appreciated that known methods of synchronizing the indicators may be utilized, such as by way of non-limiting example, transmitting a string sequence of bits between the indicators. Each indicator may be able to recognize its position in the synchronizing sequence based upon its known position or be operable to ignore a portion of the synchronizing sequence not pertaining to it. Optionally, the string sequence may include address portion corresponding to each indicator in the set so as to provide a signal to each indicator as to which portion of the synchronized signal relates to that indicator. It will be appreciated that other synchronizing method may be utilized as well as are commonly known in the art.
It will be appreciated that other patterns could be selected by mounting the lamps in the 90 and 270 degree positions. It also will be appreciated that the above patterns are illustrative of the possible patterns possible with two multifunction indicators as described herein and by utilizing multiple inputs to select a desired pattern.
Turning now to Figure 4, an illustration of a four-multifunction light set is illustrated having left and right lower lights, 60 and 62, respectively, and left and right upper lights, 64 and 66, respectively. As illustrated all four lights are identical to each other with the bottom right light rotated 180 degrees, the top left light rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise and the top right light rotated 270 degrees counterclockwise relative to the lower left light. In such a position, the tilt switches 22 of each light indicate to the processor circuit what position that light occupies in the set. The processor circuit 12 of each light then selects the appropriate illumination pattern and timing for that light in the set based upon its position and the input signal received as set out above. Optionally, each indicator selects a master indicator based upon its position and the input signal received as set out above wherein the master indicator then transmits the required pattern and synchronizing signal to the other indicators. By way of non-limiting example, when the four multifunction lights are installed in such a manner and the input on the left lower lamp 60 is connected to +12 volts, all lamps will provide double flash alternating (left to right) operation known as Pattern 4. In such operation, the processor circuit 12 of the lower left lamp 60 may select the indicator pattern from the lower left lamp memory 24 and provide a synchronized signal to the other lamp processor through sync wire 21.
When the input on the right lower lamp 62 is connected to a +12 volt input, all lamps will provide quad flash alternating (left to right) operation known as Pattern 5. In such operation, the processor circuit 12 of the lower right lamp 62 may select the indicator pattern from the lower right lamp memory 24 and provide a synchronized signal to the other lamp processor through sync wire 21. When the input on the right lower lamp 62 and the lower left lamp 60 are both connected to a +12 volt input, all lamps will provide quad flash synchronized concurrent (left & right) operation known as Pattern 6. In such operation, the processor circuit 12 of the either the right lower lamp or the left lower lamp 60 may select the indicator pattern from the lower right lamp memory 24 and provide a synchronized signal to the other lamp processor through sync wire 21. When and the input on the left upper lamp 64 is connected to a +12 volt input, all lamps will provide triple flash alternating (left to right) operation known as Pattern 7. In such operation, the processor circuit 12 of the upper left lamp 64 may select the indicator pattern from the upper left lamp memory 24 and provide a synchronized signal to the other lamp processor through sync wire 21. When the input on the right lower lamp 66 and the lower left lamp 60 are both connected to a +12 volt input, the lamps will quad flash in an X pattern between lower right with upper left and lower left with upper right. This is known as Pattern 8.
It will also be appreciated that there are other possible applications for a multifunction indicator as described above. It will also be appreciated that the multifunction indicators of the above description may be utilized separately from each other wherein the orientation of that indicator is utilized to control its intended function, such as illumination pattern alone. By way of non-limiting example, the multifunction indicator 10 may be mounted in various directions so as to select its operating voltage. At 0 degrees, the indicator may be adapted to receive a 12 volt input wherein when the indicator is mounted at 180 degrees it may be adapted to receive a 24 volt input. The same concept may be used in modules and other electronic products. Although the angles referenced above have been selected at 0, 90, 180 or 270 degree angles from each other, it will be appreciated that any other angle difference between the orientations may be utilized as well. It will also be appreciated that any number of different orientations may be utilized and determined by the light to select a function corresponding to that orientation. It will also be appreciated that other combinations of orientations and input signals for the multifunction indicators may be possible such as by utilizing 2 input ports for each indicator or by providing more than 2 tilt switches so as to provide multiple possible indicator criteria.
As described above each multifunction indicator 10 can be rotated and mounted in 4 different directions, which in 4 lamp systems means 16 different operations may be achieved with a single product instead of requiring 16 different products for each operation. Also, 2 input wires may be provided in the present design, so that over 64 different patterns may be achieved with a single unit by adjusting the way it's connected and mounted. This feature eliminates the need to have unique models and software for lower right, upper right, lower left, and upper left lamps, reducing the product SKUs from 4 to 1. By connecting combinations of inputs and the 4 possible lamp positions, dozens of variations including flash patterns, flash rates and other features are possible. Utilization of the sensors to select the flash patterns (single, double, triple and quad) is shown above.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.
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