CN112135342A - Audio playing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio playback system, comprising: a plurality of audio playback devices, each comprising: communication module, play module and processing module. The communication module receives the beacon signal and the audio packet from the audio source device and generates an interrupt signal when receiving the beacon signal. The processing module receives the interrupt signal and captures an audio source time stamp corresponding to the audio source system time from the beacon signal; comparing the sound source time stamp with the internal time generated according to the internal system time when the beacon signal is received, and calculating the difference value of the sound source time and the internal system time; receiving a play starting signal containing a play starting time of an audio source system from an audio source device; calculating the playing start time of the internal system according to the difference and the playing start time of the sound source system; and controlling the playing module to start playing the audio packet at the playing start time of the internal system.

Description

Translated fromChinese

音讯播放系统与方法Audio playback system and method

技术领域technical field

本发明是有关于一种音讯播放技术，且特别是有关于一种音讯播放系统与方法。The present invention relates to an audio playback technology, and more particularly, to an audio playback system and method.

背景技术Background technique

藉由无线传输的技术如WiFi，无线的音讯播放系统中的各个音箱可同时与一个无线基地台连接，以根据无线基地台发送的音讯封包进行音讯的播放。然而，由于各个音箱的内部系统时间并不一致，甚至与无线基地台的系统时间也不相同。在没有协调机制存在的情形下，将容易造成各个音箱部同步播放的状况。Through wireless transmission technology such as WiFi, each speaker in the wireless audio playback system can be connected to a wireless base station at the same time, so as to play audio according to the audio packets sent by the wireless base station. However, since the internal system time of each speaker is not the same, even the system time of the wireless base station is not the same. In the absence of a coordination mechanism, it is easy to cause the situation that each speaker part plays synchronously.

因此，如何设计一个新的音讯播放系统与方法，以解决上述的缺失，乃为此一业界亟待解决的问题。Therefore, how to design a new audio playback system and method to solve the above deficiencies is an urgent problem to be solved in the industry.

发明内容SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

发明内容旨在提供本揭示内容的简化摘要，以使阅读者对本揭示内容具备基本的理解。此发明内容并非本揭示内容的完整概述，且其用意并非在指出本发明实施例的重要/关键元件或界定本发明的范围。SUMMARY The purpose of this summary is to provide a simplified summary of the disclosure to give the reader a basic understanding of the disclosure. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the disclosure, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements of embodiments of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention.

为达上述目的，本发明内容的一技术态样是关于一种音讯播放系统，包含：复数个音讯播放装置，分别包含：通讯模组、播放模组以及处理模组。通讯模组配置以自音源装置接收信标(beacon)讯号以及复数音讯封包，且通讯模组在接收到信标讯号时产生中断讯号。处理模组配置以：自通讯模组接收中断讯号，以自信标讯号撷取对应音源系统时间的音源时戳；比较音源时戳与收到信标讯号时根据内部系统时间产生的内部时间，以计算音源系统时间与内部系统时间的差值；透过通讯模组自音源装置接收播放起始讯号，其中播放起始讯号包含根据音源系统时间设定的音源系统播放起始时间；根据差值以及音源系统播放起始时间，计算内部系统播放起始时间；以及控制播放模组在内部系统播放起始时间起始播放音讯封包。In order to achieve the above object, a technical aspect of the present invention relates to an audio playback system, comprising: a plurality of audio playback devices, respectively comprising: a communication module, a playback module, and a processing module. The communication module is configured to receive a beacon signal and a plurality of audio packets from the audio source device, and the communication module generates an interruption signal when receiving the beacon signal. The processing module is configured to: receive the interrupt signal from the communication module, and use the self-beacon signal to obtain the audio time stamp corresponding to the system time of the audio source; compare the audio time stamp with the internal time generated according to the internal system time when the beacon signal is received, and Calculate the difference between the audio source system time and the internal system time; receive a playback start signal from the audio source device through the communication module, where the playback start signal includes the audio system playback start time set according to the audio source system time; according to the difference and The playback start time of the audio source system is calculated, and the playback start time of the internal system is calculated; and the playback module is controlled to start playing audio packets at the playback start time of the internal system.

本发明内容的另一技术态样是关于一种音讯播放方法，包含：使复数个音讯播放装置分别包含的通讯模组自音源装置接收信标讯号以及复数音讯封包，且使通讯模组在接收到信标讯号时产生中断讯号；使音讯播放装置分别包含的处理模组自通讯模组接收中断讯号，以自信标讯号撷取对应音源系统时间的音源时戳；使处理模组比较音源时戳与收到信标讯号时根据内部系统时间产生的内部时间，以计算音源系统时间与内部系统时间的差值；使处理模组透过通讯模组自音源装置接收播放起始讯号，其中播放起始讯号包含根据音源系统时间设定的音源系统播放起始时间；使处理模组根据差值以及音源系统播放起始时间，计算内部系统播放起始时间；以及使处理模组控制音讯播放装置分别包含的播放模组在内部系统播放起始时间起始播放音讯封包。Another technical aspect of the present disclosure relates to an audio playback method, comprising: causing communication modules respectively included in a plurality of audio playback devices to receive a beacon signal and a plurality of audio packets from an audio source device, and causing the communication module to receive a beacon signal and a plurality of audio packets when receiving When the beacon signal is reached, an interrupt signal is generated; the processing modules included in the audio playback device respectively receive the interrupt signal from the communication module, and the audio time stamp corresponding to the time of the audio source system is retrieved by the self-beacon signal; the processing module is made to compare the audio time stamps and the internal time generated according to the internal system time when the beacon signal is received to calculate the difference between the audio source system time and the internal system time; the processing module receives the playback start signal from the audio source device through the communication module, and the playback starts. The initial signal includes the audio system playback start time set according to the audio source system time; enables the processing module to calculate the internal system playback start time according to the difference and the audio source system playback start time; and enables the processing module to control the audio playback device respectively. The included playback module starts playing audio packets at the internal system playback start time.

本发明的音讯播放系统的音讯播放装置可藉由通讯模组发起的中断讯号，在延迟相当低的情形下使处理模组迅速地撷取音源时戳并据以计算音讯播放装置与音源装置间的系统时间差值，再根据差值以及播放起始讯号中的音源系统播放起始时间计算出内部系统播放起始时间。所有的音讯播放装置将可精确地同步播放音讯封包，而不致产生时间差。The audio playback device of the audio playback system of the present invention can use the interrupt signal initiated by the communication module to enable the processing module to quickly capture the time stamp of the audio source and calculate the difference between the audio playback device and the audio source device with a relatively low delay. The system time difference is calculated based on the difference and the playback start time of the audio source system in the playback start signal to calculate the playback start time of the internal system. All audio playback devices will be able to precisely synchronize the playback of audio packets without time difference.

附图说明Description of drawings

为让本发明的上述和其他目的、特征、优点与实施例能更明显易懂，所附图式的说明如下：In order to make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention more clearly understood, the accompanying drawings are described as follows:

图1为本发明一实施例中，一种音讯播放系统的方块图；1 is a block diagram of an audio playback system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

图2为本发明一实施例中，音讯播放装置的方块图；2 is a block diagram of an audio playback device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

图3为本发明一实施例中，处理模组所运作的作业系统的示意图；以及3 is a schematic diagram of an operating system operated by a processing module according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

图4为本发明一实施例中，一种音讯播放方法的流程图。FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an audio playback method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

符号说明：Symbol Description:

1：音讯播放系统1: Audio playback system

100：音讯播放装置100: Audio playback device

110：音源装置110: Audio source device

200：通讯模组200: Communication module

210：播放模组210: Play Mods

220：处理模组220: Processing Modules

3：作业系统3: Operating system

300：核心区域300: Core area

310：使用者空间310: User Space

320：通讯模组驱动程式320: Communication module driver

330：音讯应用程式330: Audio Apps

340：中断处理程序340: Interrupt handler

400：音讯播放方法400: Audio playback method

401至406：步骤401 to 406: Steps

AP：音讯封包AP: Audio Packet

BS：信标讯号BS: Beacon Signal

D：差值D: difference

IR：中断讯号IR: Interrupt signal

IT：内部时间IT: Internal time

PD：播放驱动讯号PD: playback driver signal

PI：播放起始讯号PI: Play start signal

TS：音源时戳TS: source timestamp

具体实施方式Detailed ways

请参照图1。图1为本发明一实施例中，一种音讯播放系统1的方块图。音讯播放系统1包含：复数个音讯播放装置100。Please refer to Figure 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audio playback system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The audio playback system 1 includes a plurality ofaudio playback devices 100 .

音讯播放装置100可为例如，但不限于不同声道的音讯放大器或是可同时播放同一音讯的音讯放大器。音讯播放装置100可透过例如，但不限于WiFi的无线传输技术与音源装置110连接。Theaudio playback device 100 can be, for example, but not limited to, audio amplifiers of different channels or audio amplifiers that can simultaneously play the same audio. Theaudio playback device 100 can be connected to theaudio source device 110 through a wireless transmission technology such as, but not limited to, WiFi.

于一实施例中，音源装置110为可存取网络的多媒体播放装置，例如但不限于可连接网络的电视。在存取网络的多媒体资料后，音源装置110可做为一个无线存取点(accesspoint；AP)，提供音讯封包AP给所有的音讯播放装置100进行播放。In one embodiment, theaudio source device 110 is a network-accessible multimedia playback device, such as but not limited to a network-connectable TV. After accessing the multimedia data in the network, theaudio source device 110 can be used as a wireless access point (AP) to provide audio packets AP to all theaudio playback devices 100 for playback.

请同时参照图2。图2为本发明一实施例中，音讯播放装置100的方块图。音讯播放装置100包含：通讯模组200、播放模组210以及处理模组220。Please also refer to Figure 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of theaudio playback device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theaudio playback device 100 includes acommunication module 200 , aplayback module 210 and aprocessing module 220 .

通讯模组200于一实施例中，为WiFi通讯模组。通讯模组200配置以自图1的音源装置110接收信标(beacon)讯号BS以及复数音讯封包AP。In one embodiment, thecommunication module 200 is a WiFi communication module. Thecommunication module 200 is configured to receive a beacon signal BS and a plurality of audio packets AP from theaudio source device 110 of FIG. 1 .

于一实施例中，信标讯号BS是由音源装置10以一固定频率，不间断向四周发出的讯号，并可由音讯播放装置100的通讯模组200所接收。而音讯封包AP则为包含音乐内容的封包，可在适当的时间点，由播放模组210进行播放。In one embodiment, the beacon signal BS is a signal that is continuously sent around by the audio source device 10 at a fixed frequency, and can be received by thecommunication module 200 of theaudio playback device 100 . The audio packet AP is a packet containing music content, and can be played by theplayback module 210 at an appropriate time point.

于一实施例中，在通讯模组200接收到信标讯号BS后，将产生中断讯号IR至处理模组220。通讯模组200可运作有韧体，且韧体包含例如但不限于中断服务常式(interruptservice routine；ISR)，以触发通讯模组200与处理模组220间的接脚，产生中断讯号IR至处理模组220。其中，接脚可为例如，但不限于通用输入输出埠(general purpose input/output；GPIO)。In one embodiment, after thecommunication module 200 receives the beacon signal BS, an interrupt signal IR is generated to theprocessing module 220 . Thecommunication module 200 can operate with firmware, and the firmware includes, for example, but not limited to, an interrupt service routine (ISR) to trigger the pins between thecommunication module 200 and theprocessing module 220 to generate an interrupt signal IR toProcessing module 220 . The pins may be, for example, but not limited to, general purpose input/output (GPIO).

请参照图3。图3为本发明一实施例中，处理模组220所运作的作业系统3的示意图。Please refer to Figure 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the operating system 3 operated by theprocessing module 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

于一实施例中，处理模组220配置以执行包含核心区域(kernel)300以及使用者空间(user space)310的作业软体3，并在核心区域300以及使用者空间310中分别执行通讯模组驱动程式320以及音讯应用程式330。In one embodiment, theprocessing module 220 is configured to execute the operation software 3 including a core area (kernel) 300 and a user space (user space) 310, and execute the communication module in the core area 300 and the user space 310, respectivelyDriver 320 andaudio application 330.

其中，中断讯号IR可透过例如，但不限于核心区域300中的中断处理程序(interrupt handler)340触发通讯模组驱动程式320，以由通讯模组驱动程式320根据中断讯号IR，自信标讯号BS撷取对应音源系统时间的音源时戳TS。其中，音源系统时间为音源装置110的系统时间，而音源时戳TS为根据此系统时间所建立的时间点的标记。The interrupt signal IR can trigger thecommunication module driver 320 through, for example, but not limited to, the interrupthandler 340 in the core area 300, so that thecommunication module driver 320 can self-identify the beacon signal according to the interrupt signal IR The BS retrieves the audio time stamp TS corresponding to the audio system time. The sound source system time is the system time of thesound source device 110 , and the sound source time stamp TS is the mark of the time point established according to the system time.

音讯播放装置100将具有例如，但不限于计时的模组(未绘示)，以供处理模组220建构自身的内部系统时间，并持续产生对应的内部时间IT。Theaudio playback device 100 will have, for example, but not limited to, a timing module (not shown) for theprocessing module 220 to construct its own internal system time and continuously generate the corresponding internal time IT.

其中，由于音讯播放装置100与音源装置110维持的系统时间并不一定相同，且不同的音讯播放装置100间的系统时间也并不一致，而可能存在差值。因此，处理模组220的音讯应用程式330进一步接收音源时戳TS，以比较音源时戳TS与收到信标讯号BS时根据内部系统时间产生的内部时间IT，计算音源系统时间与内部系统时间的差值D。其中，不同的音讯播放装置100中的处理模组220将可能计算出不同的差值D。Wherein, since the system time maintained by theaudio playback device 100 and theaudio source device 110 is not necessarily the same, and the system time between differentaudio playback devices 100 is not consistent, there may be differences. Therefore, theaudio application 330 of theprocessing module 220 further receives the audio time stamp TS, and compares the audio time stamp TS with the internal time IT generated according to the internal system time when the beacon signal BS is received, and calculates the audio system time and the internal system time difference D. Theprocessing module 220 in differentaudio playback devices 100 may calculate different difference values D.

接着，处理模组220的音讯应用程式330透过通讯模组200自音源装置110接收播放起始讯号PI，其中播放起始讯号PI包含根据音源系统时间设定的音源系统播放起始时间。Next, theaudio application 330 of theprocessing module 220 receives the playback start signal PI from theaudio source device 110 through thecommunication module 200 , wherein the playback start signal PI includes the playback start time of the audio source system set according to the audio source system time.

于一实施例中，音源系统播放起始时间实际上，可由图1所绘示的多个音讯播放装置100其中一个的处理模组220所决定，并透过通讯模组200传送包含音源系统播放起始时间的播放驱动讯号PD至音源装置110，进一步使音源装置110产生播放起始讯号PI至所有的音讯播放装置100。于一实施例中，用以决定音源系统播放起始时间的音讯播放装置100，是例如但不限于第一个与音源装置110连接的音讯播放装置100。In one embodiment, the playback start time of the audio system can actually be determined by theprocessing module 220 of one of the plurality ofaudio playback devices 100 shown in FIG. The playback driving signal PD at the start time is sent to theaudio source device 110 , which further enables theaudio source device 110 to generate a playback start signal PI to all theaudio playback devices 100 . In one embodiment, theaudio playback device 100 for determining the playback start time of the audio source system is, for example, but not limited to, the firstaudio playback device 100 connected to theaudio source device 110 .

处理模组220的音讯应用程式330根据前述计算的差值以及播放起始讯号PI包含的音源系统播放起始时间，计算内部系统播放起始时间。举例而言，当内部系统时间落后于音源系统时间时，处理模组220可将音源系统播放起始时间加上差值D，以得到内部系统播放起始时间。Theaudio application program 330 of theprocessing module 220 calculates the playback start time of the internal system according to the difference calculated above and the playback start time of the audio source system included in the playback start signal PI. For example, when the internal system time lags behind the audio system time, theprocessing module 220 may add the difference D to the playback start time of the audio source system to obtain the internal system playback start time.

在计算得到内部系统播放起始时间后，处理模组220的音讯应用程式330将进一步控制播放模组210在内部系统播放起始时间起始播放音讯封包AP。因此，虽然不同的音讯播放装置100的内部系统时间不同，但均可参考至音源装置110的音源系统时间，并根据自身的差值D确认内部系统时间正确的对应时间点，达到同步播放的功效。After the internal system playback start time is calculated, theaudio application program 330 of theprocessing module 220 will further control theplayback module 210 to start playing the audio packet AP at the internal system playback start time. Therefore, although the internal system time of differentaudio playback devices 100 is different, all of them can refer to the audio system time of theaudio source device 110, and confirm the correct corresponding time point of the internal system time according to the difference D, so as to achieve the effect of synchronous playback .

本发明的音讯播放系统1的音讯播放装置100可藉由通讯模组200发起的中断讯号IR，不须透过其他路径如通用序列汇流排的传递，在延迟相当低的情形下使处理模组220迅速地撷取音源时戳TS并据以计算音讯播放装置100与音源装置110间的系统时间差值，再根据差值以及播放起始讯号PI中的音源系统播放起始时间计算出内部系统播放起始时间。所有的音讯播放装置100将可精确地同步播放音讯封包AP，而不致产生时间差。Theaudio playback device 100 of the audio playback system 1 of the present invention can use the interrupt signal IR initiated by thecommunication module 200, and does not need to transmit through other paths such as a general-purpose serial bus, so that the processing module can make the processing module in the case of relatively low delay. 220 quickly captures the audio source time stamp TS and calculates the system time difference between theaudio playback device 100 and theaudio source device 110 accordingly, and then calculates the internal system based on the difference and the audio system playback start time in the playback start signal PI Play start time. All theaudio playback devices 100 will be able to play the audio packets AP accurately and synchronously without causing time difference.

请参照图4。图4为本发明一实施例中，一种音讯播放方法400的流程图。音讯播放方法400可应用于图1所示的音讯播放系统1中。音讯播放方法400包含下列步骤(应了解到，在本实施方式中所提及的步骤，除特别叙明其顺序者外，均可依实际需要调整其前后顺序，甚至可同时或部分同时执行)。Please refer to Figure 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of anaudio playing method 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theaudio playback method 400 can be applied to the audio playback system 1 shown in FIG. 1 . Theaudio playback method 400 includes the following steps (it should be understood that the steps mentioned in this embodiment, unless the sequence is specifically stated, can be adjusted according to actual needs, and can even be executed simultaneously or partially simultaneously) .

于步骤401，使音讯播放装置100分别包含的通讯模组200自音源装置110接收信标讯号BS以及音讯封包AP，且使通讯模组200在接收到信标讯号BS时产生中断讯号IR。Instep 401 , thecommunication modules 200 included in theaudio playback device 100 respectively receive the beacon signal BS and the audio packet AP from theaudio source device 110 , and thecommunication module 200 generates an interrupt signal IR when the beacon signal BS is received.

于步骤402，使音讯播放装置100分别包含的处理模组220自通讯模组200接收中断讯号IR，以自信标讯号BS撷取对应音源系统时间的音源时戳TS。Instep 402, theprocessing modules 220 included in theaudio playback device 100 respectively receive the interrupt signal IR from thecommunication module 200, and use the self-beacon signal BS to extract the audio time stamp TS corresponding to the audio system time.

于步骤403，使处理模组220比较音源时戳TS与收到信标讯号BS时根据内部系统时间产生的内部时间IT，以计算音源系统时间与内部系统时间的差值。Instep 403, theprocessing module 220 compares the audio time stamp TS with the internal time IT generated according to the internal system time when the beacon signal BS is received, to calculate the difference between the audio system time and the internal system time.

于步骤404，使处理模组220透过通讯模组200自音源装置110接收播放起始讯号PI，其中播放起始讯号PI包含根据音源系统时间设定的音源系统播放起始时间。Instep 404, theprocessing module 220 receives the playback start signal PI from theaudio source device 110 through thecommunication module 200, wherein the playback start signal PI includes the playback start time of the audio source system set according to the audio source system time.

于步骤405，使处理模组220根据差值以及音源系统播放起始时间，计算内部系统播放起始时间。Instep 405, theprocessing module 220 calculates the playback start time of the internal system according to the difference value and the playback start time of the audio source system.

于步骤406，使处理模组220控制音讯播放装置100分别包含的播放模组210在内部系统播放起始时间起始播放音讯封包AP。Instep 406 , theprocessing module 220 controls theplayback modules 210 included in theaudio playback device 100 to start playback of the audio packet AP at the playback start time of the internal system.

虽然上文实施方式中揭露了本发明的具体实施例，然其并非用以限定本发明，本发明所属技术领域中具有通常知识者，在不悖离本发明的原理与精神的情形下，当可对其进行各种更动与修饰，因此本发明的保护范围当以附随申请专利范围所界定者为准。Although the above embodiments disclose specific embodiments of the present invention, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, without departing from the principle and spirit of the present invention, when Various alterations and modifications can be made to it, so the protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. An audio playback system, comprising:

a plurality of audio playing devices, each comprising:

a communication module configured to receive a beacon (beacon) signal and a plurality of audio packets from an audio source device and generate an interrupt signal when receiving the beacon signal;

a playing module; and

a processing module configured to:

receiving the interrupt signal from the communication module, capturing a sound source timestamp corresponding to a sound source system time from the beacon signal, and comparing the sound source timestamp with an internal time generated according to the internal system time when the beacon signal is received so as to calculate a difference value between the sound source system time and the internal system time;

receiving a play start signal from the audio source device through the communication module, wherein the play start signal comprises an audio source system play start time set according to the audio source system time;

calculating an internal system playing start time according to the difference and the sound source system playing start time; and

controlling the playing module to start playing the audio packets at the playing start time of the internal system.

2. The audio playing system of claim 1, wherein the audio playing start time is determined by the processing module of one of the audio playing devices, and a playing driving signal including the audio playing start time is transmitted to the audio device through the communication module, so that the audio device further generates the playing start signal.

3. The audio playback system of claim 2, wherein one of the audio playback devices that determines the playback start time of the audio system is first connected to the audio device.

4. The audio playback system of claim 1, wherein the processing module is configured to execute a communication module driver and an audio application program, so as to receive the interrupt signal and retrieve the audio timestamp via the communication module driver, and further control the playback module to play the audio packets via the audio application program calculating the difference and the playback start time of the internal system.

5. The audio playback system of claim 1, wherein the audio playback devices are connected to the audio source device via WiFi technology.

6. An audio playing method includes:

enabling a communication module of each of the plurality of audio playing devices to receive a beacon signal and a plurality of audio packets from an audio source device, and enabling the communication module to generate an interrupt signal when receiving the beacon signal;

a processing module of each of the audio playing devices receives the interrupt signal from the communication module and retrieves a sound source timestamp corresponding to a sound source system time from the beacon signal;

comparing the sound source time stamp with an internal time generated according to an internal system time when the beacon signal is received by the processing module so as to calculate a difference value between the sound source system time and the internal system time;

enabling the processing module to receive a play start signal from the audio source device through the communication module, wherein the play start signal comprises an audio source system play start time set according to the audio source system time;

making the processing module calculate an internal system playing start time according to the difference and the audio source system playing start time; and

the processing module controls a playing module included in each of the audio playing devices to start playing the audio packets at the playing start time of the internal system.

7. The audio playing method of claim 6, further comprising:

the processing module of one of the audio playing devices determines the playing start time of the audio system, and transmits a playing driving signal containing the playing start time of the audio system to the audio device through the communication module, so that the audio device generates the playing start signal.

8. The audio playing method of claim 7, wherein one of the audio playing devices determining the playing start time of the audio system is first connected to the audio device.

9. The audio playing method of claim 6, wherein the processing module is configured to execute a communication module driver and an audio application program, so as to receive the interrupt signal and retrieve the audio timestamp by the communication module driver, and further control the playing module to play the audio packets by calculating the difference and the playing start time of the internal system by the audio application program.

10. The audio playing method of claim 6, wherein the audio playing devices are connected to the audio source device via WiFi technology.

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