Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus and method thereof. The information reproducing apparatus includes a storage unit, communication unit, controller, and display unit. The storage unit stores music data and at least one first string of characters corresponding to the music data. The reproducing unit reproduces the music data from the storage unit. The communication unit communicates with an image data storage unit, which stores a plurality of image data each corresponding to at least one second string of characters. The controller controls acquisition of one image data from the image data storage unit via the communication unit. The one image data is acquired based on a comparison between the at least one first string of characters and the plurality of the at least one second string of characters. Further, the display unit is configured to display the acquired image data when the reproducing unit is reproducing the music data.

Abstract: A system in an optical storage device has a controller which obtains a plurality of write strategy parameters for the optical storage device to write data on an optical storage medium. The write strategy parameters are derived from data-to-clock edge deviations respectively corresponding to a plurality of data set types. Each of the data set types corresponds to a combination of at least a specific target pit length and a specific target land length, or a combination of at least a specific target land length and a specific target pit length.

Abstract: An optical-disc player having a reader and a controller. The reader derives out-of-band information from surface marks of an optical disc, where the controller controls operations of the reader based on the derived information. The controlled operations may involve the reading and rendering of embedded data of the optical disc. For example, a person writes the words “Spanish” and “widescreen” on the surface of a DVD with a marker and inserts the DVD in a DVD player. The DVD player scans the surface of the DVD and sends the resulting image data to an optical character recognition (OCR) module. The OCR module outputs a text file containing the words “Spanish” and “widescreen” to a controller (e.g., Microsoft HDi runtime). In response, the controller sets the playback language to Spanish and the screen format to widescreen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive apparatus (20) for accessing an optical record carrier (10) carrying a time-indicative information (T) and a second ROM mark (M2), comprising: —an access unit (21, 25) for accessing said record carrier (10) for reading data from and/or writing data to said record carrier (10), —a time-information detector (D3) for checking for the presence of time-indicative information (T) and for checking, if time-indicative information (T) is present, whether said time-indicative information (T) indicates a time that lies before a predetermined reference time, —a second ROM mark detector (D2) for checking, if said time-indicative information (T) indicates a time that lies on or after said predetermined reference time, for the presence of said second ROM mark (M2), and—a controlunit (23, 24) for controlling said access unit (21, 25) such that the reading and/or writing of data is inhibited if said time-indicative information (T) indicates a time that lies on or after said predetermin

Abstract: An information recording apparatus includes a recording access setting section that executes an operation for setting parameters to be applied during a period of time that the recording section executes a recording operation, prior to the recording operation, and a successive recording control section that controls the verification section and the recording section such that a verification operation for recorded data and the recording operation for data to be recorded next are executed successively. The successive recording control section controls the recording access setting section such that the recording access setting section simultaneously executes the setting operation for the recording operation to be executed for the data to be recorded next in the period of time that the verification section executes the verification operation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a data processing section configured to generate data that is capable of being played back using general playback control information containing clip information defining the number of playback packets. The data processing section generates a data file in which data containing a number of playback packets, the number matching the defined number of playback packets, is contained as playback data associated with the clip information.

Abstract: It is provided an optical disc drive for playing data from a loaded optical disc medium. A controller of the optical disc drive judges whether the processing command has been received and whether a reset command has been received, measures a time between a reception of the processing command and a reception of the reset command in a case where the processing of the received processing command does not end until the reception of the processing command, determines a processing time limit shorter than the measured time, and in a case where the processing of the received processing command does not end until the decided processing time limit has elapsed after the reception of the processing command, stops the processing of the processing command and notifies that the processing of the processing command has been stopped to the host device.

Abstract: A storage disk drive motor 12 includes a stator unit 2, a rotor unit 3, a shaft 41 arranged in a coaxial relationship with a center axis 9, a sleeve unit 22 including a flange portion 223, and a base member 21, having a through-hole, fixed to the sleeve unit 22 by caulking. The flange portion 223 includes a flange lower surface 223b making contact with an upper surface 21a of the base member 21 and a jut 24 protruding downwards from a radial inner side of the flange lower surface 223b. The jut 24 includes a first outer circumferential surface 241 opposed to the inner circumferential surface 21c of the base member 21, a second outer circumferential surface 242 positioned below the first outer circumferential surface 241, and a groove 243 radially inwardly indented from the first outer circumferential surface 241 and the second outer circumferential surface 242.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to prevent damage or performance degradation of an optical component constituting a second optical system, and suppress degradation of the recording/reproducing performance of an optical pickup device. A first laser light source 1 emits a first light beam having a first wavelength. A first optical system 17 guides the first light beam to be emitted from the first laser light source 1 to a first optical disc. A DVD integration unit 11 emits a second light beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A second optical system 18 guides the second light beam to be emitted from the DVD integration unit 11 to a second optical disc different from the first optical disc in recording density.

Abstract: An optical information reproducing method includes: obtaining information about a wavelength of a reference beam at recording time from a recording medium which stores main information recorded as a pattern corresponding to interference between an information beam and the reference beam and information about the wavelength of the reference beam at the recording time; determining an aiming temperature, which is a temperature of the recording medium suited to reproduce the pattern; determining an aiming incident angle, which is an incident angle of the reference beam at the reproducing time suited to reproduce the pattern; controlling the temperature of the recording medium so that the temperature of the recording medium is generally equal to the aiming temperature; and controlling the incident angle of the reference beam at the reproducing time so that the incident angle of the reference beam at the reproducing time is generally equal to the aiming incident angle.

Abstract: Problems In a recording medium such as DVD, for example, when groups having the same title or the same song and different numbers of channels are recorded, all the groups are reproduced, further, when a DVD author mistakes, contents which are not needed to be reproduced are reproduced. Means for Solving Problems In a case of DVD-Audio, a condition for reproducing a group having at least one track (a group having the longest reproducing time, a group having the largest number of tracks, a group having the largest data capacity) is set, and only the group which matches the condition is reproduced. In a case of DVD-Video, a title can be used instead of the group. In a case of CD, a folder is used instead of the group.

Abstract: An optical information storage medium according to the present invention has at least one information storage layer. The optical information storage medium has a management area that stores at least one unit containing control information about the optical information storage medium. The control information includes a format number, which provides information about at least a write strategy type and a write pre-compensation type, and a write strategy parameter, which provides information about the magnitude of shift in an edge position, or variation in the pulse width, of a write pulse train to form a recording mark. And the value of the format number changes according to a combination of the write strategy type and the write pre-compensation type.

Abstract: A method for generating an RFZC signal is disclosed. The method includes the following steps. First, an RF signal is received and the received RF signal is converted into an RF-ENVLP signal. Next, a DC offset of the RF signal is calibrated according to a variation of the RF-ENVLP signal so as to obtain a calibrated RF-ENVLP signal and obtain a gain according to the calibrated RF-ENVLP signal. Then, an RFZC signal is generated according to the calibrated RF-ENVLP signal and the gain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for closing a recording range, a method and apparatus for closing a recording medium, a method and apparatus for recording management information, a method and apparatus for recording/reproducing data on/from a recording medium and a recording medium are disclosed. The method of closing a recording medium includes: determining a position in which recognition information is to be recorded; recording valid data located after the determined position into an unrecorded area before the guard area; and recording the recognition information in the determined position. It is possible to reproduce recording media having different versions with compatibility using the recording medium and the method of recording/reproducing the data on/from the recording medium and to reduce a time consumed for closing the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus includes a drive unit that reads data from a first medium and a drive unit control unit that controls the drive unit. The apparatus includes a second medium in which the same amount of data as the amount of data recorded in the first medium can be stored, and from or in which data is read or written at a speed higher than a speed at which data is read or written from or in the first medium. The apparatus further includes an input/output unit that inputs a reading request with which predetermined data is read from among data items stored in the first medium or second medium. The apparatus also includes an access control unit which controls the drive unit control unit or a second medium control unit.

Abstract: Provided are a method for emulating a separate contents memory unit into an optical disk, an optical disk drive using the same, and an optical disk including a security zone. In the method, when an optical disk processing command from a host is present, whether an optical disk is present in the optical disk drive is judged. When the optical disk is not present in the optical disk drive as a result of the judgment, the contents memory unit is executed as a virtual optical disk. An application stored in the contents memory unit is displayed. The optical disk drive includes an optical disk storage unit, a contents memory unit, and a controller. The optical disk storage unit stores or reproduces contents using an optical disk. The contents memory unit stores contents therein and is executed as a virtual optical disk when the optical disk is not present. The controller controls the optical disk storage unit and the contents memory unit, and controls an access to be made, subject to the contents memory unit.

Abstract: A super-resolution medium (1) has a medium identification information for specifying a type of medium recorded in a medium information area (3) by use of pre-pits having a length not shorter than a length of a resolution limit of an optical system in a reproducing device (10).

Abstract: The present invention enables audio data to be recorded or played back more easily. LPCM samples from an LPCM sample 301-1 of a first channel to an LPCM sample 304-1 of a fourth channel in audio data are combined in order to generate a GOLS 310-1. An even number of GOLS are combined to generate an audio frame. Header information is added to the audio frame to generate an audio PES packet, which is multiplexed with a video PES packet and recorded onto a recording medium. As a result, the number of bits of the audio frame is an integral multiple of 32. This increases an affinity with a recording and playback apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for block noise detection and filtering are disclosed. One embodiment includes, computing difference magnitudes in pixel values for adjacent pixels in the image. The difference magnitudes can include horizontal difference magnitudes for horizontally adjacent pixels and vertical difference magnitudes for vertically adjacent pixels. One embodiment further includes using normalized sums of the difference magnitudes to determine a set of noise characteristics of the block noise and a set of image characteristics of the image and configuring inputs to the block noise filter using the set of noise and image characteristics.

Abstract: An optical head 12 reproduces information recorded on an optical disc 11, a BCA detector 21 and a medium discriminating circuit 22 acquire waveform distortion information for specifying a waveform distortion of a reproduction signal reproduced by the optical head 12, and a variable waveform equalizer 16 changes a parameter used in a distortion reduction processing for reducing the waveform distortion of the reproduction signal based on the waveform distortion information.

Abstract: Apparatus characterized as a multi-session data storage medium such as an optical disc, and method for formatting the same. In accordance with various embodiments, a first session is recorded onto the medium with a first set of user data. A second session is subsequently recorded onto the medium with a second set of user data. The second session contactingly abuts the first session without the use of an intervening linking area therebetween. This enhances the data storage capacity of the medium irrespective of the total number of sessions applied thereto. In some embodiments, the first session is described by a first file system and the second session is described by a different, second file system independent of the first file system. The respective file systems may be accessed by different readback systems, such a personal computer (PC) and a gaming system.

Abstract: In an optical disc having a multilayer structure in which recording layers are bonded to each other, the number of times additional writing can be performed is increased. A method for controlling an optical disc device according to the present invention comprises steps of calculating a displacement amount generated when the recording layers are bonded to each other; and identifying the size of a recordable area in a non-usable area predetermined on the recording layer based on the displacement amount.

Abstract: A recording apparatus and the like for creating an optical disc which is recognizable as a finalized disc even when an accidental power interruption or a serious write error occurs before finalize processing is completed is provided. The recording apparatus records information on a write once recording medium sequentially including a user data area, a first management information area, an indicator area and a second management information area on a recording layer thereof. The recording apparatus includes an optical head; and a control section for instructing the optical head to record information. The control section instructs to record management information in the first management information area; instructs to record indicator information indicating whether or not the management information has been recorded, in the indicator area; and instructs to record the same management information as recorded in the first management information area, in the second management information area.

Abstract: There are provided at least a first information storage area 20A and a second information storage area 40A. The first information storage area 20A contains, in advance, an OS or mpeg data. The second information storage area 40A is either write-once or rewriteable and available for writing OS update information or movie correction information. The configuration enables easy backup and restoration of software, content, and various information including update information for use by the software and content with reduced user time and workload.

Abstract: An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.

Abstract: A data recording/reproducing system (1) reads a recording signal written on a recording track of a recording medium (3), by using light, which is modulated by a drive signal wherein a frequency signal is superposed for scanning the signal along the recording track at a prescribed scanning speed. Then, the system reproduces the read signal as data. The data recording/reproducing system is provided with a computer (13) for controlling the superposition frequency of the frequency signal for the drive signal corresponding to the scanning speed, and an LD driver (17).

Abstract: An optical disc drive includes: a means (116, 117) for generating a synchronization signal from a wobble read signal having location information configured by a wobbled groove; a timing correction circuit (127) that generates a control signal having a time width TW after a predetermined time length from the synchronization signal; and a DC level correction means (126) for clamping the DC level of an information read signal for the time width of the control signal, to thereby correct the DC level. After an information read signal in a vicinity of a head of a recorded data field is subjected to the DC level correction by using the DC level correction means (126), the signal is reproduced by binarizing means disposed at the successive stage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for optical disc writing. The method provided by the present invention comprises steps: acquiring the writing history information of the optical disc, wherein the data storage area of the optical disc is divided into several writing areas by starting address and ending address of each writing in the history information; selecting a writing area from the plurality of writing areas for the current optical disc writing; determining the write strategy for the optical disc adopted by the current writing for writing the optical disc; and updating the writing history information of the optical disc. According to the method provided by the present invention, the appropriate area can be selected to carry out the optical disc writing, so that the life cycle shortening of the optical disc due to the over-usage of partial recording areas will be avoided, furthermore, the appropriate write strategy can be determined to improve the optical disc writing effects.

Abstract: In a data recording method for a write-once type recording medium capable of pseudo overwrite, it is judged whether data to be recorded in the write-once type recording medium exists. If it is judged that data exists, it is judged that the data is to be recorded from the next writable address (NWA) indicating the boundary between a recorded area and non-recorded area. If it is judged that the data is to be recorded from the next writable address, the data is recorded from the next writable address; and if it is judged that the data is not to be recorded from the next writable address, recording of the data is suspended. While data to be recorded exists, the aforementioned steps are repeated. If no data to be recorded exists, the data whose recording has been suspended is recorded.

Abstract: In a track offset adjusting method of an information recording medium, data are recorded onto first and second tracks of an information recording medium. No data are recorded on at least one of tracks adjacent to each of the first and second tracks. After the data recording onto the first and second tracks, data are recorded onto the third track adjacent to the inner circumferential side of the first track and onto a fourth track adjacent to the outer circumferential side of the second track. Thereafter, reproduction signal qualities of the first and second tracks are calculated on the basis of reproduction signals obtained by reproducing the data recorded on said first and second tracks. The track offset is adjusted on the basis of the reproduction signal qualities of the first and second tracks.

Abstract: A movement speed of a lens included in an optical pickup is calculated by differentiating a total reflection return light quantity that is detected by emitting laser light and near-field light onto a signal recording surface of a rotationally driven optical disc. On the basis of the calculated movement speed, processing for driving the optical pickup or the lens included in the optical pickup is controlled. For example, in a case where the calculated movement speed exceeds a permissible speed set in advance, retreat processing is performed for moving the optical pickup or the lens included in the optical pickup apart from a surface of the optical disc.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a recording section for recording files to a storage medium; an arranging section for arranging the files into groups by attribute so as to establish allocation of the files on the storage medium; and a controlling section for controlling the recording section so as to record the files to the storage medium based on the allocation established by the arranging section and to record concurrently allocation information reflecting the allocation to a predetermined location on the storage medium.

Abstract: There are provided a multi-layered optical disk and an optical disk device capable of swiftly reproducing control information recorded into a predetermined recording layer in advance. The object can be accomplished by employing the following configuration: When the optical disk device performs a focus lead-in operation into the multi-layered optical disk, the device positions its optical pickup at a BCA radius position, and takes advantage of a signal which is generated such that an influence exerted on the signal by BCA is avoided. Also, the object can be accomplished by employing the following configuration: An angle index unit for indicating a rotation reference position is provided in the multi-layered optical disk, and a partial area of the BCA is selected as an unrecording area. The optical disk device starts the focus lead-in operation in synchronization with rotation angle information created from the rotation reference position.

Abstract: In an optical head apparatus and an optical disc apparatus which can reduce influence of interlayer stray light on a differential push-pull signal without making the configuration complicated, Uy=Ty×N1 is satisfied, where Ty denotes a length in the y-direction of one period of an interference fringe which is formed on the photodetector 9 by reflected light of the zero-order diffracted light by an information recording surface other than the access-target information recording surface, reflected light of the positive-first-order diffracted light by the information recording surface other than the access-target information recording surface, and reflected light of the negative-first-order diffracted light by the information recording surface other than the access-target information recording surface, N1 denotes a positive integer, and Uy denotes each length in the y-direction of the divisional light-receiving elements 9e, 9f, 9g, and 9h.

Abstract: An information storage medium and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method are provided with the ability to extend at least one middle area of an information storage medium comprising two or more recording layers so as to ensure optimal data recording/reproduction. The information storage medium comprises a plurality of recording layers, each including a user data area for recording user data and at least one middle area used by a recording/reproducing apparatus that records/reproduces data on the information storage medium to move among two recording layers, wherein the at least one middle area is extended when the information storage medium is finalized. As a result, when an information storage medium that contains an OPC area for obtaining optimum recording conditions (such as recording power) in an outer circumference thereof is finalized, and if a middle area of the disk is not large enough, the middle area can flexibly be extended.

Abstract: An information storage medium and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method are provided with the ability to extend at least one middle area of an information storage medium comprising two or more recording layers so as to ensure optimal data recording/reproduction. The information storage medium comprises a plurality of recording layers, each including a user data area for recording user data and at least one middle area used by a recording/reproducing apparatus that records/reproduces data on the information storage medium to move among two recording layers, wherein the at least one middle area is extended when the information storage medium is finalized. As a result, when an information storage medium that contains an OPC area for obtaining optimum recording conditions (such as recording power) in an outer circumference thereof is finalized, and if a middle area of the disk is not large enough, the middle area can flexibly be extended.

Abstract: A disk device includes a main control unit controlling the operation of a controlled object on the basis of an error signal calculated from a target signal of the controlled object and an observation signal of the controlled object, a repetitive control unit sampling the error signal with a sampling clock pulse to obtain a repetitive signal component generated in synchronization with rotation of the disk medium from the sampled error signal, a sampling clock generation unit generating the sampling clock pulse and resetting a timing at which the sampling clock pulse is generated in accordance with a rotation detecting pulse and a sampling clock limit unit limiting generation of the sampling clock pulse at a timing immediately before generation of the rotation detecting pulse.

Abstract: When a method for increasing density by providing a tracking guide such as a land/groove and introducing a plurality of strings of super-resolution pits into one track thereof is applied to a reproduction-dedicated optical disk, there are problems in that the production cost is increased, the structure is complicated, and the space which can be used for a recording pits is narrowed because of the land/groove structure. In the invention, a concept of group tracking is applied. One track is formed by a plurality of pit strings having a size not greater than the optical resolution limit in the radial direction and a size not less than or not greater than the optical resolution limit or only not greater than the optical resolution limit in the tangential direction.

Abstract: An information storage medium, and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method, the information storage medium including a plurality of recording layers, each layer including a lead-in area or a lead-out area, a data area, a middle area, and a dedicated area, wherein the data area is flexibly allocated according to data capacity to be recorded in each of the recording layers, the middle area is allocated behind the data area, and the dedicated area is allocated behind the middle area. The dedicated area for a special purpose may selectively be allocated in an outer circumferential area of the information storage medium, i.e., an optical disk including a plurality of recording layers. In particular, optical disks in various formats are provided in which dedicated areas for special purposes can selectively be allocated in outer circumferential areas of the optical disks depending on recording characteristics of the optical disks and the outer circumferential areas.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus that reproduces images from an optical disc by reading image data from the optical disc and displaying images based on the image data read from the optical disc. When the optical disc apparatus reproduces images from an optical disc, the apparatus performs a preparation operation for reproduction of images from the optical disc. During the preparation operation, a controller sequentially displays different types of initial images as time passes. For example, the first initial image, which is to be displayed first of the initial images, is an image indicating the type of the optical disc as well as showing the name of the manufacturer of the optical disc apparatus. The second and third initial images are a scenic image and an image showing a message to a user, respectively.

Abstract: An information recording medium according to the present invention includes a track on which a data sequence including a plurality of recording marks and a plurality of spaces provided between the plurality of recording marks is recordable; and a recording condition recording area in which a recording condition for recording the data sequence on the track is recordable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage.

Abstract: A system controlling recording on an optical disc is provided. A first counter performs a bit count according to provided channel bit clock signals. A second counter performs a sector count responsive to the bit count obtained by the first counter. The Land/Groove switch predicts machine uses the result of bit count and sector count to predict the land/groove switch point. The processor uses the physical ID (PID) to determine the track type of a sector at which a recording operation initiates. The power controller determines a recording power for the recording operation according to the Land/Groove switch predict machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing data from a disc with a linking area comprises a pick up head, a servo, a processing unit, a position predictor, and a control signal generator. The pick up head reads data from the disc and generates a read signal. The servo controls the pick up head. The processing unit processes the read signal and controls the servo according to a plurality of control signals. The position predictor tracks time position on the disc and generates position information. The control signal generator receives the position information and generates the control signals according to the position information.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) is provided with: a reading device (10) for reading contents data; an operating device (41) constructed to rotate depending on an operation of a user; a detecting device (42) for detecting rotating operation performed on the operating device as operating signal (d); a generating device (22) for generating modulation signal (d?) by adding a predetermined additional signal (d?) vibrating at a fixed frequency or a variable frequency to the operating signal; a reproducing device (15) for reproducing the contents data, while determining reproduction speed and reproduction direction of the contents data on the basis of the modulation signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for recording information on a recordable multi-layer DVD disc wherein information is incrementally recorded on the disc such that the area regarded as containing written information on the first information layer is substantially equal to the area regarded as containing written information on the second information layer. However, an area regarded as containing written information may comprise an area where no information is recorded. In this way a recordable disc is produced from which DVD-ROM players can retrieve the recorded information.

Abstract: An information recording medium is at least composed of a substrate having a microscopic pattern constituted by a continuous substrate of grooves formed with a groove portion and a land portion alternately, a recording layer formed on the microscopic pattern for recording information, and a light transmitting layer formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern is formed with satisfying a relation of P??/NA, wherein P is a pitch of the land portion or the groove portion, ? is a wavelength of reproducing light for reproducing the recording layer, and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. The land portion is formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other for both sidewalls of the land portion. An auxiliary information based on data used supplementally when recording the information and a reference clock based on a clock used for controlling a recording speed when recording the information is recorded alternately.

Abstract: As a synchronization signal pattern to be added, a pattern is generated (second SYNC pattern), which has a pattern that breaks a maximum run inserted in a pattern excluding a minimum run is used so that intersymbol interference does not occur readily on a high-density disc, and addition processing of a conventional synchronization signal pattern (first SYNC pattern) is switched according to identification information indicating whether or not a high-density disc for generation.

Abstract: The data structure includes a navigation area of a computer readable medium storing navigation data associated with a data stream representing a portion of at least one reproduction path. The navigation data includes indication information, and the indication information indicates whether the data stream represents multiple reproduction paths or the data stream represents a single reproduction path. If the indication information indicates the data stream represents multiple reproduction paths, the navigation data includes path number information and an indicator associated with each reproduction path. The path number information identifies a number of the multiple reproduction paths, and each indicator indicates a file associated with the associated one of the multiple reproduction paths.

Abstract: The invention provides a reliable write method of data on an optical record carrier without changing the conventional configuration of an information recording apparatus. The invention uses the errors occurred in reading ATIP codes and/or the reflected signal from the surface of the record carrier to decide if the storage unit on the record carrier is eligible to store data. The defective storage units are labeled as unrecordable.