PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL

FPR-30 //
Field Programmer; RLB 41
Dealers/Distributors
Model No.: FPR-30
Product No.: 2913
Y1-03-0318 Rev. A

ACR Electronics, Inc. // 5757 Ravenswood Road // Fort Lauderdale // FL // 33312-6645

Tel: +1 (954) 981-3333 // Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087 // www.acrartex.com
About ACR Electronics

ACR Electronics, www.acrartex.com, designs and manufactures a complete

line of safety and survival products including EPIRBs, PLBs, AIS, SARTs,
Strobe Lights, Life Jacket Lights, Search Lights and safety accessories. The
quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000
Series Standards. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival
technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to the aviation and marine
industries as well as to the military since 1956.

CAUTION: Before proceeding to install, test or use your new ACR

Electronics’ product, please read this Product Support Manual in its entirety.

If you have questions regarding the contents of the manual, please contact our
Technical Support Department at ACR Electronics, Inc., Telephone +1 (954)
981- 3333. Please be ready to provide the technician with the page number you
wish to discuss. If you have a question that is not covered in the manual,
please visit our website and access the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
section for further information or call our Technical Service Department. The
website address is www.acrartex.com. If in the future you lose this manual, you
may access and print a replacement from the ACR website.
 Table of Contents

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION 3
SECTION 2 – PREPARING TO INSTALL THE FPR-30 SOFTWARE ____ 4
SECTION 3 – INSTALLING THE FPR-30 SOFTWARE ______________ 6
SECTION 4 – PROGRAMMING A BEACON_____________________ 8
APPENDIX A- USINF AUTO-SAVED DATA _____________________ 21
APPENDIX B – TIPS FOR PROGRAMMING BEACONS ____________ 21
APPENDIX C- MAKING A NEW LABEL FOR A BEACONError! Bookmark not
APPENDIX E – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS- __________________ 22
APPENDIX F – WARRANTY, NOTICES ________________________ 23

PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES

CAREFULLY

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 SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the ACR FPR-30

Programmer for the RLB 41 Beacon.

We design, manufacture and distribute quality products knowing they

are used to save lives. Many of our products are required to be tested
and approved by regulatory bodies worldwide. We believe in going
beyond those specifications to ensure our products work when needed
in real world conditions. With proper care and maintenance your ACR
product will last for years. It is important that you thoroughly read this
Product Support Manual to understand the proper care and use of your
ACR product.

ACR is proud to be certified to ISO 9001: 2000, the International

Standard for Quality.

This manual provides operation and programming instructions for

the FPR-30, to enable the programming of the RLB 41 beacon.

Please take note of the following.

There are now 2 hardware versions

functioning on the FPR 30 software
platform. The software you are going to
download, satisfy both hardware
versions.

1. The existing FPR 30, Product

Number 2902.
2. The programming head for the
RLB 41, which this manual is
written for.

Only one of these can be used at any

one time.

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 SECTION 2 – PREPARING TO INSTALL
UNPACKING THE FPR-30
Before proceeding with the installation of the FPR-30, please verify that
the content of the box includes the following:

Figure 1
Figure 1 items:

1. RLB-41 programming head

2. USB cable*
3. Leaflet describing where to get the Software and Manual.

If any of the above is missing, please contact ACR Electronics’

Technical Service by email at service@acrartex.com or by phone at +1
(954) 981- 3333.

Equipment required but not included:

// Computer with suitable operating system and software (see
upcoming section for details)
// Printer compatible with Avery® labels (as described below)
// Labels for reprogrammed beacons (Avery® TEMPLATE 5167™,
size 1.75” x 0.5”, or 4.45cm x 1.27cm)
// Label over-laminate (ACR Part Number 7069 – over laminate)

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 ANATOMY OF THE FPR-30

Computer (not included):

Your computer needs to
have FPR-30 software
installed on it.

EPIRB: Use RLB-41

programming head

USB cable

EPIRB (not included): This

programming head is compatible with
RLB-41 only. The software is also
compatible with the FPR 30 P/N 2902.

Figure 2

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Operating systems

The FPR-30 software is compatible with the following operating

systems:
// Windows® XP with Service Pack 3 or later installed
// Windows Vista®
// Windows 7
Required computer capabilities
// A printer is required to produce beacon labels for the new identity
to which the beacon was programmed

// Microsoft® Excel® (part of Microsoft® Office suite), any

revision level, is required to automatically save and store data.
This program must be on your computer to successfully install and
run FPR-30 software.

// If using Microsoft® Windows XP, Service Pack 3 or later must be

installed on your computer to successfully install FPR-30 software.

// WinZip® 6.0 or higher, to download and install FPR-30 software

from ACR website. You will need to update your software
periodically.

Other recommended FPR-30 computer capabilities

Internet access, to decode beacons on the Cospas-Sarsat website

http://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/beacon-decode-program

SECTION 3 – INSTALLING THE FPR-30 SOFTWARE

DOWNLOADING AND INSTALLING FPR-30 SOFTWARE FROM THE
ACR BRC WEBSITE

The FPR-30 software must be downloaded from the web at

http://www.acrartex.com
Please follow this link and select FPR 30 Software:

http://www.acrartex.com/support/acr-support/

1) NOTE: If you have a previous version of the FPR-30 software

installed, uninstall it first, as this software covers the FPR 30, as
well as the programming head for the RLB 41.

2) Create a folder on your C drive to save this FPR 30 zip file. Do not
unzip directly from the website.

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 3) Click on the fpr30.zip file.

4) A file download window will pop up. Select SAVE.

5) A SAVE AS window will pop up. Find the folder you created in step
(2) and click SAVE.

6) Once the file has finished downloading, open the folder that you
saved the file in and unzip it onto your hard drive. You will need to
have WinZip® 6.0 or higher installed on your computer in order to
extract this file. If you do not have this program, you can download a
free sample version at www.winzip.com.

7) The software is now ready to be installed. Typically, once WinZip®

has extracted the files, it will start to run the setup program for you.
Select the OK button and follow the installation instructions. Your
file will be saved to your C drive. Create a separate folder for it
called FPR30.

// If the program does not start the installation, select the START
button, click on RUN, type C:\FPR30\setup.exe. Select OK.

// Alternatively, use the file manager or Windows Explorer to find the

setup.exe file on C:\, double click on setup.exe, and follow the
installation instructions.

INSTALLING A USB DRIVER

When the FPR-30 hardware is enabled (plugged in), for the first time,
your Windows® OS will detect a new USB device and ask for drivers.
USB driver installations under Windows® Vista may result in Windows®
asking you if you wish to keep later versions of DLL files (included with
Windows® Vista) or if you prefer to use the versions provided on the
FPR-30 installation software. If this occurs, keep the later versions
(included with Windows® Vista).

ADDING A PRINTER
If you do not have a printer already connected, you will need to install
one to your computer. For more information regarding adding a printer,
please consult your Windows® user manual or visit the Microsoft
website at www.Microsoft.com, using the keywords “Adding Printer”.

CONNECTING THE FPR-30 TO YOUR COMPUTER

The FPR-30 device is connected to your computer by using the USB
cable included in your kit. The USB connection provides power to the
FPR-30 (see Figure 2).

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 SECTION 4 – PROGRAMMING A BEACON
OVERVIEW
The FPR-30 is designed to be a programming tool for current ACR
Model EPIRBs, model number RLB-36 and higher. This specific FPR-30
software also supports the programming head of following ACR
Electronics’ 406 MHz beacons:

TABLE-Beacons supported by this hardware version

Product name Model number

RLB 41 2830 / 2831

NOTE: The FPR-30 supports all beacon product numbers that

correspond to the above models.

NOTE: Go to the ACR BRC website (using the instructions in Section 3)

for the most current version of the FPR-30 software. All future upgrades
to the FPR-30 software will be free to the owners of the FPR-30.

NOTE: Please be aware that if you want to use the programming head
for the RLB 41 and you also use the FPR 30 (P/N 2902); this needs to
be disconnected. The default setting for the FPR 30 software is to find
the FPR 30 hardware first. When only the RLB 41 programming head is
connected, it will bring up the correct screen.

When you select the FPR-30 icon, the program launches. The first
screen describes the software and product by name and by revision
number. The second screen presents five different tabs, each
representing a software function: Program, Read, Reset (greyed out)
and Print.
 Use Program to change the country code of a beacon.
 Use Read to check the current programming of a beacon or to verify
that you have programmed a beacon correctly.
 Use Print to generate new labels for the beacon.
 The Reset tab is not available in this version of the software and is
greyed out.

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 STEP ONE- OPEN THE FPR-30 PROGRAM

Double click the FPR-30 shortcut icon on the desktop.

Note that the visual quality of the full screen displayed in the window is
dependent on the resolution settings of the PC. The resolution can be
adjusted through the display option of the Control Panel in your
Windows® operating system.

STEP TWO- PROGRAMMING

Preparing to program

Programming is accomplished by the computer generating a Unique

Identification Number (UIN). This number is based on the information
that the user of the FPR-30 provides via the different option windows.
The data entered is sent to the appropriate programming head. The
programming head handles all further communications with the beacons
via infrared data transfer.

NOTE: The FPR-30 requires the following information to generate a UIN

(15-digit hex ID). This information must be valid and must be obtained
from either the owner of the beacon or the SAR authorities of the
country for which the beacon is being programmed. Make sure you have
all of this information readily available before you begin the
programming procedure.

1.) Beacon serial number, MMSI or radio call sign (whichever is

appropriate for the beacon type and the country’s requirements).
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 2.) Serialized Standard protocol (default) or whichever is appropriate for
the country of programming. Ensure that the data programmed into
the beacon complies with the specific countries requirements.

NOTE: If not sure, contact ACR Electronics Field Support.

NOTE: Different ACR beacons only allow certain data to be

programmed into them when selecting different protocols. The
information, which may be entered into the FPR-30 parameters, is made
available (highlighted) after you have selected the protocol that is
applicable. Some information is not permitted for a given beacon type,
and these invalid choices are “grayed-out”, or inactive, to prevent data
entry errors.

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 Select Initiating the programming process
“Beacon”

Select
protocol

Enter
serial
Select number
Country Drop down
menu will
appear
here

1) Select “Beacon” in the upper left corner

2) Select the beacon model that you want to reprogram from the drop
down menu

3) Select the category (RLB 41) and product number (CAT I or CAT II) of
the beacon that you want to reprogram. Use the first product number
for each CAT I or CAT II in the drop down list.

4) Select a country code by clicking on the “Enter Country or Scroll

Down for List” text box. Enter the country code or scroll down the list
to the required country. Select that country.
NOTE: To view the menu of countries to choose from, click in the
white box

5) Select Protocol.
NOTE: Valid choices are active (in black lettering) and invalid
choices are inactive (in grey lettering). If no choice is made, the
system will use the default protocol, which is Standard Location
Protocol.
NOTE: If applicable, refer to the upcoming section on programming a
beacon back to the USA.

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 6) As soon as the beacon (product number) is selected, the Program
and Read tabs become available. The Print function is not available
at this point.
7) Enter the serial number or other preferred input (e.g., MMSI; see note
on page 9)
NOTE: The serial number is found on the exterior of the beacon, on
a white label. (If not, refer to STEP 4 section of this manual, Page
19.)
As soon as the serial number or MMSI number is inserted in the
appropriate spaces, the READ button will become available and a
message ‘Program to POS position’ will be shown.

NOTE: Maritime Mobile Ship Identity, or MMSI, is defined as the nine-

digit ship identification number. The MMSI number incorporates the
country code (the first three digits) followed by the ship's unique
numeric identifier (the last six digits).

CAUTION: When programming an MMSI into a beacon, it must be valid

for the ship that will be carrying the beacon you are programming. One
must also be SURE that the beacon programmed is the only one on the
vessel. If there is more than one, the number of beacons must be
entered in the space provided in the programmer.
You can program a maximum number of 16 beacons for the same
vessel. Start with 0 (beacon one) and end with 15 (beacon 16)

8.) Select READ tab in the bottom, middle of the screen.

1. Select
2. Message: “READ”
“Program to button
POS…”

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 9.) Select READ button at the bottom center. The software will now
request that a “memory read” be performed, to ascertain that all
the needed parameters are correct.
10.) The system advises that it is ready to program a beacon to a new
location.

Programming the beacon

11.) Follow prompt to place the faceplate or programming head on the

beacon and click on the Read button. Perform a Self-test (Press the
self-test button on the beacon till a response is seen on the screen.
Let the button go.. This enables the FPR-300 software to read the
beacon memory.

NOTE: The beacon is NOT being programmed at this point in the

process.

NOTE: Each beacon has 2 (two) memory positions: An ACR memory

position and a POS (Point of Sale) memory position. When an ACR
beacon is manufactured, it is programmed with a sequential
manufacturer’s serial number and the USA country code. This data is
inserted in the ACR position. The ACR ID stays with the beacon as long
as it remains a functional device.

When a beacon is reprogrammed, the new ID is inserted in the POS

(Point Of Sale) position. Any additional reprogramming will always insert
the new ID in the POS position.
5. Select the Program button. This allows the programming sequence.

6. A new message above the Program button advises that the UIN
number has now been generated and is ready to be programmed
into the unit, i.e., “Program to POS location. UIN:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.

7. Select Program button.

8. Follow the prompt to place programming head on the beacon. Wait for
the LED on the head to light and then perform a Self-test.
Two messages will follow:

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 If you are positive that all parameters were correctly satisfied, place
the programming head in the appropriate position, select YES and
OK, then do a self-test on the beacon

Place head and hold steady. Infrared port

Perform the final programming function by selecting the PROGRAM

button, do a self-test and see the message ‘BEACON
PROGRAMMED’ above the program tab

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 5. Message:
“Beacon
Programmed
”

NOTE: Labels can now be printed.

Printing labels
3. Select
column of
labels you
want to
print

1. Select print
tab. 2. Enter
4. Always name
use the
first label
for the
beacon.

e
e
Y1-03-0318 Rev A 15
 1.) Select the Print tab.
2.) NOTE: You may enter the user name, vessel name or any other
name that the beacon owner wants in the space provided.
3.) Print by selecting the column of labels you want to print on, e.g.,
Column 1, 2, 3 or 4. The FPR-300 program uses Avery®
TEMPLATE 5167™ labels or comparable substitute. The format for
the sheet of labels is four columns.

Column
1234

Compare the ID with the label that was printed to make absolutely sure
that they are the same.

8.) At this stage, you must attach the newly printed ID label to the
beacon. Remove the old label, clean the area properly with
Isopropanol (Rubbing) alcohol and stick the new label on. Use the TOP
label of the column that was printed.

NOTE: The beacon serial number label must be covered with over-
laminate in order to avoid damage to the label that would cause it to
become unreadable. This can be ordered from ACR under P/N 9569
Do not use any other tape for this purpose.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING TIPS

If reprogramming a beacon back to the USA, the beacon must be

programmed with the original manufacturer’s serial number.

The FPR Software will first determine whether the beacon’s original
ACR serial number and the serial number that has been provided (that
you want to program the beacon with) are identical. If they are not
identical the system will disallow reprogramming and provide the
following message:

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 Select OK and the system will return to the initial startup screen. Enter
the serial number provided and repeat the programming process.

NOTE: Programming a beacon to a serial number that is not the original

If you want to reprogram (serialized protocol) a beacon to anything

but the original ACR serial number, you are incorrectly
programming the unit.

Time out error message

NOTE: If you wait longer than fifteen (14) seconds when prompted
to press the Program button, you will see a text box appear with the
following error message: “No response from beacon: Please try
again”. Select OK and the Program button to continue.

Select ‘OK’ and select the PROGRAM button again.

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 NOTE: This message will appear after any prompt was initiated by the
programmer to initiate communication between it and the beacon.

Identifying a current serial number

There are two ways to recover the existing serial number of the unit.
1. On the identification label. After the “S/N.”
2. If the label is defaced in any way, or the beacon was programmed
with the MMSI of a vessel (in which case the S/N will not appear on
the label), there is a second way to recover the serial number.

Memory read / Verifying correct serial number

If you want to read the memory of a unit after it has been programmed,
do the following:

1. Select the Read tab

1. Select
“Read”

Correct Serial
2. Prompt: Number
Select TEST
switch on
beacon

2. Place the programming head in the correct position.

3. Follow the prompt and initiate the self-test feature on the beacon
(EPIRB = button). This enables the FPR-30 to read the beacon
memory.

4. The new identity will now be displayed in the POS (Point of Sale)
Content position. If the beacon was never reprogrammed after it left
ACR, the ACR content will have the only HEX ID, the POS content
will be void (empty). The correct serial number is displayed on the
top right of window.
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 PROGRAMMING VERIFICATION

To provide proof whether the beacon was programmed to the

instructions of the owner, the following can be done; the document
can be printed and given to the owner:
 Go to the Cospas-Sarsat website; http://www.cospas-
sarsat.int/en/beacon-decode-program
 Enter the beacon HEX ID (15 digit code) under ‘1’
 Be aware that the HEX message consists of numbers 0-9 and
letters A-F only.
 Select ‘PROCESS’ when finished
The result will be as follows:

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406 MHz Decode Program (Version 3.2)
1. Enter Beacon ID 15 Hex or Message (22 Hex or 30 Hex)

2. Pick Hex Format

15 Hexadecimal

22 Hexadecimal

30 Hexadecimal

3. Click "Process" when ready

Process
ITU List of MID Country Code Numbers
ITEM BITS VALUE
Message format: Not provided
25
in 15 hex id
Protocol: Location Protocol 26 0
Country code: 366 - United
27-36 0101101110
States of America
Type of location protocol:
Standard Location - PLB 37-40 0111
(Serial)
Cospas-Sarsat #: 219 41-50 0011011011
Serial Number: 4446 51-64 01000101011110
Latitude Sign: default 65 0
Latitude Degrees: default 66-72 1111111 HEX ID programmed
into the beacon.
Latitude Minutes: default 73-74 11
Longitude Sign: default 75 0
Longitude Degrees: default 76-83 11111111
Longitude Minutes: default 84-85 11
Composite Latitude: default N/A Composite Longitude: default
15 Hex ID: N/A 2DCE6DA2BCFFBFF

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 APPENDIX A- USING AUTO-SAVED DATA
The data generated during beacon reprogramming is automatically
stored to a Microsoft® Excel® file. You do not need to set up this
feature.

To use this feature

The directory where the Microsoft® Excel® file of saved data can be
found is C:\Program Files\FPR30\

You may view, sort, edit and print the data by using standard Microsoft®
Excel® commands and functions. You may add information, such as
customer name and address, ship name, etc., in the unused columns.

NOTE: If you do not have a file viewer you will not be able to view the
files saved. File Viewer is available from Microsoft Downloads

APPENDIX B – TIPS FOR PROGRAMMING BEACONS

The following is background information that may be helpful for
individuals that program ACR Electronics beacons.

1. If not sure or 100% positive on what the coding preferences of any

country are, contact service@acrartex.com for confirmation.
2. Beacons for the USA are programmed with the manufacturer serial
number and country code 366.
3. Beacons for the USA are not to be programmed with the MMSI of
the vessel.
4. Always refer to the ACR website for the latest software. This gets
updated on a regular basis and one should frequent the website at
least on a quarterly basis. If the version was changed, you need to
update your software.
5. If a country code needs to be programmed and it does not appear in
the drop down list, contact service@acrartex.com with a request to
update.

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 APPENDIX C – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ACR PRODUCT NUMBER

FPR-30 for RLB 41 Product number 2913

GENERAL

FPR Size 8 X 3 X 1.5 cm (3 X 2 X ¾ inches )

Casing material Plastic

Casing color Black

Waterproof No

Buoyant No
POWER

USB port requirements 100mAmp capability

SOFTWARE

Obtain via web Via ACR’s website

https://www.acrartex.com/support/acr-support/
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

Operating system Windows Vista®, Windows® XP (with Service Pack

compatibility 3 or later)

Software requirements Microsoft® Excel® (any version), WinZip® revision

6.0 or higher

Hardware requirements Printer

Computer system Refer to minimum and recommended requirements

requirements for your OS as published on the Microsoft website
GENERAL

ACR RLB 41 support RLB 41 (all part numbers)

KIT CONTENTS

Kit See Figure 1 for complete list

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 MISCELLANEOUS

Accessories Replacement programming head or cable for

beacon; see ACR Electronics website, price list or
contact ACR.

Labels The FPR-30 kit does not include blank labels.FPR-

30 compatible labels are Avery® TEMPLATE
5167™, which are 1.75” X 0.5” (4.45 X 1.27 cm) in
size. You may purchase labels from the vendor of
your choice in person or via the internet. Search
“Avery labels.” There are a number of vendors who
ship worldwide.

Units per carton One (1)

APPROVALS

NOTE: For complete information regarding standards and certifications, please

visit ACR’s website at www.acrartex.com.

APPENDIX D – WARRANTY, NOTICES

LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted against factory defects in material and
workmanship for a period of 1 (one) year* from date of purchase or
receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics, Inc. will
repair or, at its option, replace the unit at no cost to you for labor,
materials and return transportation from ACR. For further assistance,
please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics,
Inc., 5757 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312-6645. Email:
service@acrartex.com, Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087, Telephone: +1 (954)
981-3333.

This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by
accident or misuse, or as a result of service or modification performed
by an unauthorized factory. Except as otherwise expressly stated in the
previous paragraph, THE COMPANY MAKES NO REPRESENTATION
OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR
ANY OTHER MATTER WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT. The
Company shall not be liable for consequential or special damages.

NOTICES
ACR Electronics diligently works to provide a high quality Product
Support Manual, however, despite best efforts, information is subject to
change without notice, and omissions and inaccuracies are possible.
ACR cannot accept liability for manual contents. To ensure that you

Y1-03-0318 Rev A 23
 have the most recent version of the Product Support Manual, please
visit the ACR website at https://www.acrartex.com/support/acr-support/
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted only
with permission of ACR Electronics, Inc.

Ongoing product improvements may change product specifications

without notice.

Trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective

owners.

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