Abstract: A simple resume reproduction device which performs resume reproduction after reproduction of content is interrupted. Content; an application that is a program for reproducing the content; and at least one reproduction control information item for controlling execution of the application are recorded on a recording medium. The simple resume reproduction device includes: a reproduction unit which reproduces the content by executing the application controlled according to a first reproduction control information item; and a reproduction information acquiring unit which acquires reproduction information indicating a reproduction position of the content. Further, the reproduction unit, when resuming reproduction, reproduces the content from the reproduction position indicated by the reproduction information without executing the application.

Abstract: It is desirable to provide a reproduction method having a high operating efficiency in an optical disk unit containing a mass storage memory such as a semiconductor memory. Data to be recorded is recorded on both an optical disk and the mass storage memory. Verify flags respectively corresponding to recording sectors or ECC blocks of an optical disk medium are stored in a control memory. In response to an instruction to reproduce the data, the data recorded on an optical disk is reproduced and verified when the data is not yet verified in reference to the verify flag. When the data has been verified, the data recorded on the mass storage memory is read and outputted to reduce response time, current consumption, and noise significantly. The mass storage memory is mounted in the optical disk unit to contribute to downsizing of a recording and reproduction device.

Abstract: A computer readable medium, apparatus, and method for efficiently managing a space bitmap. A computer readable medium includes: a user data area on which user data is recorded; and a temporary disc management area on which a space bitmap indicating a recording status of recording and reproducing unit blocks of the user data area is recorded. The space bitmap includes header information for distinguishing an additional space bitmap from the space bitmap. The additional space bitmap is assigned when a space provided for the space bitmap is insufficient to represent the recording status of the recording and reproducing unit blocks of the user data area.

Abstract: For a disc on which recording is to be performed at a plurality of recording densities, a technique for easily reading out disc management information without an error is disclosed. An optical disc (1) includes a plurality of data recording areas (103,104) for recording information at data recording densities different from each other. Information regarding the data recording densities of the data recording areas (103,104) is recorded in a management information recording area (BCA area (101) or PIC area (102)) in a specific format that does not depend on the data recording densities of the data recording areas (103,104). Each data recording area is divided to be arranged on the same surface of the disc, or is divided and arranged on a plurality of recording layers.

Abstract: A small-sized, large-capacity optical disk is provided which is superior in portability. The optical disk has a diameter less than 64 mm and a thickness less than 0.8 mm. Tracks are formed with a pitch less than 0.6 ?m, and the record area is divided into a plurality of zones alone the radium. The optical disk can store more than 650 MB of compressed data.

Abstract: A recording medium on which data is recorded in units of clusters, a method and apparatus for reproducing data on the recording medium, and a method and apparatus for recording data on the recording medium, wherein each of the clusters includes a plurality of address fields, each address field includes 32-bit address unit number (AUN) address information, and the AUN address information includes a reserved area recorded on 4 bits, layer information, recorded on 3 bits, indicating a layer on which data corresponding to the AUN address information is recorded, and location information, recorded on 25 bits, indicating a location of the data corresponding to the AUN address information. In the recording medium of the present invention, a space in which addresses are recorded is expanded, thereby securing an address area in which addresses of data can be recorded in a data structure.

Abstract: A disc transporting mechanism includes a gripping mechanism having a plurality of gripping members configured to grip a disc, a transport arm provided with the gripping mechanism, and a moving mechanism configured to move up and down the transport arm. The transport arm is connected to the moving mechanism through an elastic member.

Abstract: An optical disc is disclosed having a set of primary tracks and a set of alternate tracks. At least some of the primary and alternate tracks are associated. When a CD-DA reader accesses the optical disc, it locates only the primary tracks. By contrast, when a data reader such as a CD-Rom drive accesses the disc, modifications to the Table of Contents (TOC) cause the data reader not to access a given primary track but instead to be directed to its associated alternate track. This alternate track may contain audio (CD-DA) data which may or may not correspond with the CD-DA data in the associated primary track. The alternate tracks may be copy protected, and/or may include compressed (not CD-DA) data which is the subject of digital rights management.

Abstract: A standalone duplication system with network connection has a casing, multiple recording devices, a control module, a bridge unit, a storage device and a network module, wherein the bridge unit connects between the control module, the storage device and the network module. When the bridge unit confirms that the control module has disconnected from the storage device and the network module receives a data transfer command, the storage device can receive data via the network module and store data for duplication. Therefore, the standalone duplication system is capable of receiving data from different computers over a network without using a high-end central processing unit (CPU). The standalone duplication system need not be moved to different places and connected to and disconnected from different personal computers again and again. Users operate their own personal computers to send required data to the standalone duplication system via the network.

Abstract: An optical disc medium comprises a track groove, along which main information is recorded. The track groove is divided into a plurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks each include a plurality of frames. The plurality of frames each include one shape of wobbles indicating sub information, among a plurality of prescribed shapes of wobbles. The plurality of blocks each have address information. The address information is represented by a string of at least one piece of sub information represented by the shape of wobbles of at least one of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: In a recording system (1), a personal computer (20) reads out boot information from an optical disc (31) in a predetermined order and records elements of the boot information in contiguous areas on the optical disc (32). In order to thus operate, the personal computer (20) refers to access records before reading out the boot information from the optical disc (31). The access records are generated by a protocol analyzer (11) at a start-up of a personal computer (10). Further, for each of the elements indicated by the access records, the personal computer (20) records, on the optical disc (32), an address conversion table in which that area on an optical disc (31) in which the element is recorded and that area on the optical disc (32) in which the element is recorded are correlated with each other.

Abstract: A reproduction device, contains a rotatable operation disk part for performing an input related to reading of data stored in a memory and a capacitance sensor section for outputting a sensor value expressing a change of a capacitance according to depression of the rotatable operation disk part. The device also contains a storage part for storing a reference value corresponding to the sensor value obtained while the rotatable operation disk part is not depressed, and a control part for judging presence/absence of pressing on the rotatable operation disk part based on a vector quantity being a relative value obtained from a difference between the sensor value output from the capacitance sensor section and the reference value stored in the storage part.

Abstract: An operating element for receiving from an operator an instruction about reading speed and reading order of stored data includes: a rotatable operating disc part (38) disposed at one end of a rotation shaft (40), for receiving a rotation operation by an operator; a sensor substrate part (34) through which the rotation shaft (40) is inserted and having a sensor pattern (44) for detecting capacitance disposed on a surface facing the operating disc part (38); and a conductive cover part (36) disposed between the operating disc part (38) and the sensor substrate part (34) so as to cover the sensor pattern (44) and to sag when the operating disc part (38) is pressed, the conductive cover part (36) being set to a ground potential.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling data access rate of an optical disc player are disclosed. The method includes steps of (1) utilizing a micro-controller to decide whether an action of an instruction of a predetermined data processing is an extraction operation or a play operation; (2) driving the spindle motor and a pick-up head to retrieve data from an optical disc at a first data access rate by the micro-controller while the action of the instruction of the predetermined data processing is an extraction operation; and (3) driving the spindle speed and the pick-up head to retrieve data from the optical disc at a second data access rate which is less than the first data access rate by the micro-controller while the action of the instruction of the predetermined data processing is a play operation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a data processing unit that acquires content codes including a data processing program recorded in an information recording medium and executes data processing according to the content codes; and a memory that stores an apparatus certificate including an apparatus identifier of the information processing apparatus. The data processing unit is configured to execute an apparatus checking process applying the apparatus certificate stored in the memory on the basis of a code for apparatus checking process included in the content codes, acquire the apparatus identifier recorded in the apparatus certificate after the apparatus checking process, and execute data processing applying content codes corresponding to the acquired apparatus identifier.

Abstract: A device-specific and application-specific computing device, a playback device and a method for controlling the playback device using the computing device is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a user may control the playback device using a control information generated according to a device configuration information of the computing device in his/her possession.

Abstract: There is provided an optical disc reproducing method capable of reproducing a non-finalized DVD+R. When a seek operation is performed from a present address on the non-finalized DVD+R to an outer circumferential side target address, the outer circumferential direction total jump number of tracks is calculated from a difference between the present address and the target address. When a first condition is satisfied in which the present address is in an inner circumferential zone, the target address is in a second outer circumferential zone, and the outer circumferential direction total jump number is 701 to 2500, the jump number of tracks is set to 340 smaller than the outer circumferential direction total jump number, and a traverse seek using a moving mechanism to move an optical pickup in a radius direction by 340 is performed.

Abstract: An optical storage medium playback apparatus includes an optical storage access device, a connection port, and a controller. The optical storage access device is implemented for reading a multimedia content from an optical storage medium. The controller is coupled to the optical storage access device and the connection port, and is implemented for storing a portion of the multimedia content read from the optical storage medium into an external storage via the connection port when the external storage is electrically connected to the connection port, and for accessing the portion of the multimedia content which is stored in the external storage electrically connected to the connection port and performing a playback operation upon data read from the optical storage medium concurrently.

Abstract: The directory information on a file system recorded on an optical disc is cached onto a hard disk as a directory table. When accessing a file on the optical disc, a processor references the directory table so as to obtain information related to a position, on the disc medium, where the file to be accessed is located, without accessing the directory information on the optical disc. A disc I/O controller moves a pickup unit to the location indicated by the positional information on the file to be accessed and reads the data on the file. The pickup unit is used to detect signals from the optical disc.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a lead-in area and a data area for storing contents information. The lead-in area includes a first lead-in information area and a second lead-in information area. The first lead-in information area corresponds to a first playback mode. The second lead-in information area corresponds to a second playback mode different from the first playback mode. The first lead-in information area has a first depth and is designed for storing lead-in information related to the contents information stored in the data area. The second lead-in information area includes pre-pits having a second depth greater than the first depth. The pre-pits represent predetermined information, such as information of copyright protection, related to the contents information stored in the data area.

Abstract: An optical recording method and recording system for recording data to optical recordable medium are present. An recording system for recording a plurality of data units from a source via a buffer to an optical recordable medium, the apparatus comprising: a pick-up head module (PUH module), a verifier coupled to the PUH module, a buffer management unit for controlling the buffer to buffer data units, and receiving a verifying status signal from the verifier, when the verifying status signal indicating one of recorded data units is verified, generating a transfer control signal for receiving new data unit, and a buffer control signal to control the buffer to release buffer space of the verified data unit to buffer new data unit; wherein after the verifier verifies the second number of the data units, the PUH module follows to an initial position to record a third number of new data units and keeps recording and reading until the plurality of data units being recorded and verified.

Abstract: A recording medium on which data is recorded in units of clusters, a method and apparatus for reproducing data on the recording medium, and a method and apparatus for recording data on the recording medium, wherein each of the clusters includes a plurality of address fields, each address field includes 32-bit address unit number (AUN) address information, and the AUN address information includes a reserved area recorded on 4 bits, layer information, recorded on 3 bits, indicating a layer on which data corresponding to the AUN address information is recorded, and location information, recorded on 25 bits, indicating a location of the data corresponding to the AUN address information. In the recording medium of the present invention, a space in which addresses are recorded is expanded, thereby securing an address area in which addresses of data can be recorded in a data structure.

Abstract: On an optical disc, main information to be decrypted using sub information is recorded by arranging concave or convex recording marks in a spiral track and a reflective film is formed on the recording marks. First sub information is recorded as being superimposed on the main information by shifting or deforming the recording marks or altering a pattern of the recording marks. Second sub information is recorded as being superimposed on the main information by changing a reflectivity of the reflective film formed on the recording marks. The first sub information and the second sub information are recorded in an area from which the first sub information and the second sub information are to be read simultaneously. The second sub information is recorded in a manner that the second sub information is associated with the first sub information.

Abstract: A recording device for recording one or more of a plurality of subcontents recorded on a first recording medium, onto a second recording medium, the first recording medium having further recorded thereon digest values of the subcontents, and a medium signature generated based on the digest values of the subcontents, the plurality of subcontents constituting one content, the recording device comprising: a subcontent acquisition unit operable to select and acquire one or more of subcontents permitted to be copied; an excluded digest value acquisition unit operable to acquire excluded digest values from the first recording medium, the excluded digest values being digest values of nonselected subcontents; a signature acquisition unit operable to acquire the medium signature from the first recording medium; and a write unit operable to write, onto the second recording medium, (i) the one or more selected subcontents, (ii) the excluded digest values, and (iii) the medium signature.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a reproduction means to play digital data from a recording medium recorded with that digital data and retrieval information, a recording means to write the digital data reproduced by the reproduction means and record the retrieval information on a control table, and a control circuit to search the control table by using the retrieval information when the digital data from the reproduction means is written by the recording means, to permit the writing of digital data recorded on the medium with the recording means when the retrieval information is not recorded on the control table, and to prohibit the writing of digital data recorded on the medium with the recording means when the retrieval information is already recorded on the control table, and also prevent the mistaken duplicate copying of the digital data with the recording means.

Abstract: A BD-ROM contains plurality of Titles which can be branched among and a Java application executable upon reproduction of each Title. Each Title has an AV Clip and an application management table. The application is a program described in a virtual-machine oriented programming language. The application management table correlates an application to an application run attribute in the corresponding Title. The run attribute may be a continuation attribute (Persistent) for continuing the application state in the branch origin or an AutoRun attribute for automatically running the application when the application is in a non-run state in the branch origin.

Abstract: A traverse of a light scribe disk drive is provided. An opening is disposed at the center of a frame, wherein one end of the opening has a half circle, and a fillister is integrally formed around the half circle. A spindle motor is mounted on a PCB to form a spindle motor module. The PCB with a connecting slot is disposed on the frame to insert the spindle motor into the half circle. An optical sensor is mounted on a substrate to form an optical sensor module, and the substrate is inserted in the fillister. One end of a cable is connected to the substrate, and the other end is connected to the connecting breach to simplify the structure.

Abstract: There are provided a reproduction output control apparatus, a reproduction output control method, a reproduction output control processing program and so on which can quickly (in a short time) search a desirable program information out of program information such as a plurality of song data which are continuously recorded on a recording means. The reproduction output control apparatus according to the present application includes: a reproduction control means for reproducing a plurality of program information pieces recorded on a recording means; and an output control means for causing the plurality of program information pieces output at least two program information pieces out of the plurality of program information pieces thus reproduced respectively from different output means.

Abstract: An optical disk playback device includes a first control means for holding difference information which the first control means generates by, during playback of an optical disk 10, performing a comparison between track start point position information detected and track start point position information acquired with reference to contents information recorded in the above-mentioned optical disk, and a second control means for, when receiving a search request from outside the device, correcting the above-mentioned track start point position information on the basis of the above-mentioned held difference information.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates operations of updating, altering and/or otherwise recomposing the reproduction list of contents data prepared according to the frequency of reproduction, the priority of reproduction, the preference of the user and so on.

Abstract: A disk player includes a body, a tray having a first seating recess and a second seating recess to load disks of a first size and a second size and slidably inserted into or ejected from a replay unit of the body, a single sensor disposed in the body to detect loading or unloading of a disk on the tray, size of the loaded disk, and insertion or ejection of the tray, and a plurality of slits penetratingly formed on the tray with different lengths to correspond to the sensor when the tray is inserted or ejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium are disclosed. The method and apparatus calls for downloading data associated with data read from the recording medium. The downloaded data is stored in a local storage using an organization ID directory. The downloaded data from the local storage and the data from the recording medium are ultimately bound together to form a virtual package.

Abstract: A control unit accesses a memory. The memory includes a plurality of blocks. The control unit includes a batch buffer, a batch controller and a multiplexer. The batch buffer stores a batch which includes a designated block index. The batch controller fetches the designated block index from the batch buffer. The multiplexer selectively outputs a sequential block index or the designated block index as an active index according to a control signal. And a designated block of the memory is accessed according to the active index.

Abstract: A computer system and method is disclosed that transfer collections of CD's and/or DVD's containing audio and/or video to a digital format in an automated fashion. A computer system and method is disclosed that includes a computer, computer accessible media changer, and one or more CD/DVD information databases. Media changer can be an optical media changer, or a robotic device that loads CD's/DVD's from a stack into one or multiple optical media readers. As one example, the system and method can be used to transfer multiple music CD's to another computer-accessible media.

Abstract: Even when a data area and a spare area are procured on a recording medium in advance, performs a replacement process for the replacement area only under specific cases where recording for the data area is impossible, so that the recording areas can be efficiently utilized. The recording medium includes a data area and a spare area. The data area is composed of one or more unit areas each having an address assigned thereto. A recording apparatus includes: a processing section for designating an address of a unit area within the data area; and a control section for recording data in a unit area of the designated address. The processing section determines whether data is recorded in a unit area of a first address or not, and depending on a result of determination, designates either the first address or a second address which is within the same data area. If recording of the data to the designated address has failed, the control section records the data to the spare area.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for recording, playing, handling, and storing a plurality of media disks in a plurality of configurations and a device for moving any disk into and out of a media disk storage mechanism and into or out of a selected media player/recorder on demand, and a controller for directing operation of the device for moving the disks and controlling selection of operation of the media disk storage mechanism.

Abstract: To limit the number of contents which can be reproduced among a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A reproduction device (3) includes: a recording medium (2) containing a plurality of contents and the reproduction-enabled number indicating the number of contents which can be arbitrarily reproduced by a user among the plurality of contents; acquisition means (11) for acquitting the reproduction-enabled number; and reproduction inhibit means (14) for inhibiting reproduction of each content when the total number of contents which have been reproduced among the plurality of contents exceeds the acquired reproduction-enabled number upon reproduction of each content.

Abstract: A method is presented for use in determining a degree of quality of a multi-layer optical data carrier in its at least partially recorded state. Predetermined first data is provided being indicative of a qualified, at least partially recorded multi-layer optical data carrier. This data corresponds to an optical response obtainable from a specific data carrier under predetermined conditions of an optical scan of the rotating data carrier. A data carrier being qualified is scanned by at least one optical beam under said predetermined conditions of the scan, and a first control signal from the data carrier is detected and data indicative of the detected control signal is generated. The so generated data is processed to determine a relation with said predetermined data. The determined relation is used for determining a degree of quality of said scanned data carrier.

Abstract: A recording medium is provided, which comprises at least one recording area. The at least one recording area is composed of at least one adjustment area and at least one positional information recording area. The at least one adjustment area is an area for adjustment an access parameter for accessing the recording medium. Positional information indicating a position of the at least one adjustment area is recorded in the at least one positional information recording area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing on a portable computer-readable medium, a study comprising at least one medical output produced by a medical modality and formatted in a standard medical format used by specialized computers configured for viewing outputs produced by medical modalities, and optionally labeling the portable computer-readable medium. The method includes receiving a transmission comprising the medical output that is formatted according to the standard medical format, at least temporarily storing the medical output as it is received in a buffer memory to be subsequently stored onto the portable computer-readable medium, and storing the medical output from the buffer memory onto the portable computer-readable medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improve precision of tracking correction and focus correction while assuring stability of the tracking correction and focus correction during recording/reproducing of data to/from an optical disk. Before start of recording/reproduction, an optical disk DK is searched once. On the basis of a radial acceleration component in a tracking error signal Ste, an area where a mechanical distortion occurs in the optical disk DK is specified. At the time of actually recording/reproducing data to/from the optical disk DK, the gain in a tracking servo circuit TS is temporarily improved only at the time of recording/reproducing data to/from the area specified as an area where a mechanical distortion or the like occurs. Also, even in the case where the gain is varied by performing optimum phase compensation on the gain set by using an optimum phase compensation by-gain circuit 23, reliable phase compensation is realized.

Abstract: A write-once recording medium is provided, which comprises a management information area for recording management information for managing a recorded state, and a user data area for recording user data. The user data area is configured to contain at least one recording area. At least one session is configured to contain at least one of the at least one recording area. The management information contains range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area and identification information for identifying the recording area located at a boundary of the session.

Abstract: A data managing method for an optical disc drive writing data into an optical disc having defects is provided. The optical disc has a user data area and a spare area. The optical disc drive includes a first buffering space and a second buffering space. The data managing method includes: when the first buffering space receives a data corresponding to a defect, not suspending the first buffering space from receiving the user data, and transferring the data, corresponding to the defect and in the first buffering space, to the second buffering space; and when data amount in the second buffering space reaches a predetermined value, suspending the optical disc drive from writing data in the first buffering space into the user data area, and driving the optical disc drive to write data in the second buffering space into the spare area.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus and a recording and reproducing method capable of making correspond to original data without recording repeated data are provided. The recording and reproducing apparatus includes: reproducing element 2 for reproducing main data and TOC data for managing the main data that are recorded in CD 1; recording and reproducing element 7 for recording in and reproducing from HDD 9 the main data reproduced from CD 1 and PBLIST 11 for managing the main data; end detection element 4 for detecting an end of each track of the main data; complete reproducing detection element 3 for detecting that track has been reproduced completely; renewal element 8 for renewing PBLIST 11 to be recorded in HDD 9 based on detected results from end detection element 4 and complete reproducing detection element 3, and generating element 5 for controlling recording the main data in HDD 9 based on PBLIST 11 and controlling renewal element 8 so as to renew PBLIST 11 when the main data is recorded in HDD 9.

Abstract: To provide a memory control circuit in which the bandwidth that is required for the refresh operation is appropriately divided so as to perform smoothing of the peak bandwidth for the memory accesses, and thereby the refresh operations that are required can be accomplished with a low peak bandwidth. A normal time refreshment requester circuit which normally raises a refreshment request for refreshing the memory to the access arbitrator circuit, and a first and second concentrated refreshment requester circuits corresponding to the first and second requesters which in a concentrated manner issues refreshments during while the refreshment request issuing conditions are satisfied such as in a time domain in which the bandwidth for memory accesses are lowered are operated in parallel.

Abstract: When recording or reading an optical disc having plural data recording layers, which data recording layer the light spot is focused on is detected to improve playback signal quality and signals written to the layer on which the light spot is focused are read more reliably. A convergent lens converges the laser beam on the optical disc, and a focus controller controls the focal point of the laser beam on the data layer. A tracking controller positions and tracks the focal point of the laser beam converged by the convergent lens on a track of the optical disc. A photodetector detects the reflected laser beam from the disc. A convergence detector then detects the convergence state of the laser beam emitted to the plural data recording layers. Based on output from the convergence detector, the laser driver is controlled to separately set beam power appropriately for each of the plural data layers of the disc during playback.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or optical recording medium including segment information recorded thereon, and apparatus and methods for recording to and reproducing from the recording medium, in order to improve data protection, data management and/or reproduction compatibility. The recording medium may contain at least one segment area which is an area on the disc controlled by a plurality of valid PACs and if the designated segment areas overlap with one another, control information of the respective PACs which control the overlapped area may be applied to control the overlapped area.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus, has a reading unit which, if a transfer delay address is found, stores data in the transfer delay address, in a memory, and stores data in a range from the transfer delay address to an additional address located at an outer periphery in a certain distance and which, if the address to be read on the optical disc is present in the transfer delay address, reads data corresponding to the address to be read as stored in the memory, and a control unit which, if the address to be read on the optical disc is present in the additional address, reads the data corresponding to the address to be read as stored in the memory, by the reading unit, and increases a rotation rate of the optical disc up to a predetermined number of revolutions.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes an acquiring unit for acquiring, from an optical disc, disc-state information including at least information of an optical disc type, information of a recording format, and information indicating whether the optical disc has already been finalized, a first determining unit for determining, based on the information of the optical disc type and the information of the recording format in the acquired information, whether the optical disc type and the recording format correspond to one of predetermined combinations, a second determining unit for determining, based on the result of determination by the first determining unit and the acquired information, whether the optical disc needs to be finalized, and a display control unit for controlling, when the second determining unit determines that the optical disc needs to be finalized, display of a message representing the need of the finalization.

Abstract: To reduce the occurrence of fragmentation when variable-bit-rate digital data is recorded on a continuous area of unit periods. When the amount of data in the buffer memory is larger than that for one unit period, the digital data in the buffer memory is read every unit period, and the read digital data is recorded as a continuous area (step S106). When the amount of data in the buffer memory is less than that for one unit period, the amount of data is estimated from the time corresponding to the amount of data less than that for the unit period and the length of the unit period (step S112). The digital data of the unit period is recorded on a recordable area in which the estimated amount of digital data can be recorded continuously (step S106).