Abstract: A reception device includes: a receiver that receives a multiplexed signal; a first demapper that demaps the multiplexed signal, with a second modulated symbol stream of a second data series being included in the multiplexed signal as an undefined signal component, to generate a first bit likelihood stream of a first data series; a second demapper that demaps the multiplexed signal, with a first modulated symbol stream of the first data series being included in the multiplexed signal as an undefined signal component, to generate a second bit likelihood stream of the second data series; a first decoder that performs error control decoding on the first bit likelihood stream to derive the first data series; and a second decoder that performs error control decoding on the second bit likelihood stream to derive the second data series.

Abstract: A reception device includes: a receiver that receives a multiplexed signal; a first demapper that demaps the multiplexed signal, with a second modulated symbol stream of a second data series being included in the multiplexed signal as an undefined signal component, to generate a first bit likelihood stream of a first data series; a second demapper that demaps the multiplexed signal, with a first modulated symbol stream of the first data series being included in the multiplexed signal as an undefined signal component, to generate a second bit likelihood stream of the second data series; a first decoder that performs error control decoding on the first bit likelihood stream to derive the first data series; and a second decoder that performs error control decoding on the second bit likelihood stream to derive the second data series.

Abstract: A method is provided for judging whether a double-sided optical disc is placed reversely. Firstly, the disc is loaded. Then, a first optical pickup head emits a first laser beam to a first specified area of the disc and receives a first reflected laser beam. A second optical pickup head emits a second laser beam to a second specified area of the disc and receives a second reflected laser beam. If the first reflected laser beam generates an alternate brightness and darkness change and the second reflected laser beam does not generate the alternate brightness and darkness change, the disc is not placed reversely. If the first reflected laser beam does not generate the alternate brightness and darkness change and the second reflected laser beam generates the alternate brightness and darkness change, the disc is placed reversely.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical storage medium comprising below an entrance face (EF) a higher recording stack (ST0) comprising a higher recording layer (L0) and at least a lower recording stack (ST1), said lower recording stack (ST1) being recorded or read back by a radiation beam (4) entering into the optical storage medium through the entrance face (EF) with a wavelength (?), focused on said lower recording stack (ST1) and transmitted through the higher recording stack (ST0), a recording of the higher recording layer (L0) causing an optical thickness variation between recorded and unrecorded areas of said first recording layer (L0), which is included into the range [0.03?, 0.125?].

Abstract: An optical recording device that records to a multi-layer disk having multiple recording layers includes a controller which sets a data area in which user data is recorded, and a calibration area including a main calibration area and at least one sub-calibration area which are used to calibrate the intensity of laser light for recording, with the same layout among the plurality of recording layers, conducts first calibration for performing initial recording in the data area by using the main calibration area, records dummy data in the remainder of the main calibration area, and conducts second calibration for performing additional recording in the data area by using the sub-calibration area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes the steps of (a) forming a perpendicular magnetic recording layer and (b) applying an ion beam to regions between tracks of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer so as to form separation regions for magnetically separating the tracks from each other. In the step (a), a continuous film layer composed of a multilayer film is formed, and CoB layers and Pd layers are laminated in the multilayer film. In the step (b), the CoB layers and the Pd layers are melted by the ion beam so as to form an alloy of metals contained in the CoB layers and the Pd layers to thereby form the separation regions.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a recording and reading layer that is previously staked or formed afterword and has no concavo-convex pattern for tracking control, and a servo layer in which a concavo-convex pattern or a groove for tracking control is formed. Information can be recorded in the recording and reading layer while tracking is performed using the servo layer.

Abstract: An information storage device has small compartments for storing information in a solid body and can be used as a memory medium. The solid body can have at least one pair of parallel planar portions on its surface. The information is divided into bits and stored in discrete minute areas that are distributed three-dimensionally inside the memory medium. The data can be converted into a digital format for storage to regulate the number of ‘1s’ recorded in a direction of the memory medium.

Abstract: An optical disc device and information recording/reading method for an optical disc in which a recording layer is formed through volume recording by aligning recording tracks, which hold information, in a homogenous recording region that does not internally have a layer defining a recording position. The information recording method includes a step in which a first recording layer forming a complex recording layer is formed by forming a recording track while recording information by focusing a main beam at a predetermined depth position in the recording region, and a step in which a second recording layer forming the complex recording layer is formed by forming a recording track while recording information by focusing the main beam at a depth position that is separated from the first recording layer in a depth direction by a depth offset greater than ? of a wavelength of the main beam.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium 10 comprises a plurality of recording layers 14 and intermediate layers 15 each provided between the recording layers 14. Each of the recording layers 14 includes a polymer binder and dye dispersed in the polymer binder, and a thickness of each recording layer is equal to or greater than 50 nm. A first interface (near-side interface 18) is formed between a recording layer 14 and an intermediate layer 15 that is adjacent to the recording layer 14 on one side of the recording layer 14 in a thickness direction of the recording layer 14, and a second interface (far-side interface 19) is formed between the recording layer 14 and an intermediate layer 15 that is adjacent to the recording layer 14 on the other side of the recording layer 14 in the thickness direction of the recording layer 14.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: An objective lens for optical pickup and an optical pickup apparatus having the same are provided. The objective lens for optical pickup includes a light source side lens surface and a disc side lens surface. The light source side lens surface and the disc side lens surface each include an effective region disposed at a central region of the objective lens and a non-effective region disposed outside the effective region. An optical path changing element, disposed in the non-effective region of at least one of the light source side lens surface and the disc side lens surface, changes a path of light incident thereon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with data storage using atomic films, such as graphene, boron nitride, or silicene. A platter assembly may include at least one platter that has one or more substantially planar surfaces. One or more layers of a monolayer atomic film, such as graphene, may be positioned on a planar surface. Data may be stored on the atomic film using one or more vacancies, dopants, defects, and/or functionalized groups (presence or lack thereof) to represent one of a plurality of states in a multi-state data representation model, such as a binary, a ternary, or another base N data storage model. A read module may detect the vacancies, dopants, and/or functionalized groups (or a topographical feature resulting therefrom) to read the data stored on the atomic film.

Abstract: A recording medium is provided with: a guide layer on which a guide track or tracks are formed; and a plurality of recording layers, wherein a same mark group is formed in a same rotational phase position of each of a plurality of guide tracks which are included in a beam spot of guide laser light, the mark group including a pair of record marks which are shifted by a predetermined distance toward a right side and a left side, respectively, from a track center.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: An exemplary optical pickup comprises: a light source with first and second emission points; an optical branching element which branches light emitted from the first emission point into multiple light beams including a first main beam and first sub-beams and which also branches light emitted from the second emission point into multiple light beams including a second main beam and second sub-beams; an optical system which condenses the multiple light beams produced by the optical branching element onto an optical storage medium, thereby making the first and second main beams form a write light beam spot and a read light beam spot, respectively, on a target recording track on the storage medium and making the first and second sub-beams form reference light beam spots and other light beam spots somewhere on the storage medium other than the target recording track.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: When the power of the write pulse is taken as the peak power and the power of the bottom pulse is taken as the bottom power, the power setting device (114) sets the power of each pulse in the recording pulse train such that the peak power PwN of the Nth information layer which is closest to the light entry surface of the optical recording medium (11), the bottom power PbN of the Nth information layer, the peak power PwM of the Mth information layer (where M is an integer such that N>M?1), and the bottom power PbM of the Mth information layer satisfy the following formula: PbN/PwN>PbM/PwM.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: A method comprising recording data related to a start-up procedure on at least one of a plurality of recording layers disposed on an optical record carrier for reading back the recorded data during subsequent start-ups, the selection of the at least one recording layer based on properties of the at least one recording layer is disclosed. The technique reduces the optical record carrier start-up time and is useful for DVD, HD-DVD and BD recorders and/or players.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: Provided is a recording control device including a recording control section which controls data recording to a recording medium by irradiating laser light to the recording medium, and an alternate processing section which sets, in a case where recording of data to a specific address of a prescribed sequential recording range is instructed and an alternate process is generated, a next writable address having a shortest distance between a position of a next writable address and a position of the specific address from a center of the recording medium in an outer peripheral direction, from among next writable addresses of the sequential recording ranges of each of the recording layers, as an alternate destination of the specific address.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In an optical disk manufacturing apparatus, a movement mechanism changes the movement speed of a laser beam irradiation component from a first to a second speed at a first radial position located within where the laser beam irradiation component moves from an inner peripheral region of the optical disk to an identification information recording region of the optical disk, and changes the movement speed from the second to a third speed at a second radial position at which the laser beam irradiation component has reached the identification information recording region at the second speed. The second speed is lower than the first speed and the third speed. The laser beam irradiation component records the identification information by irradiating with a laser beam while alternating between a first power level and a second power level low enough not to crystallize the recording layer, when moving through the identification information recording region.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a light-emitting/receiving unit which emits a recording beam, an ATS beam, and a position control beam toward an optical disc recording medium via a common object lens; a tracking mechanism which drives the object lens in a tracking direction parallel to a radial direction of the optical disc recording medium; a reference plane-side tracking error signal generation unit which generates a reference plane-side tracking error signal; a reference plane-side tracking servo signal generation unit which generates a reference plane-side tracking servo signal to cancel out a tracking error; a tracking driving unit which drives the tracking mechanism; an ATS-side tracking error signal generation unit which generates an ATS-side tracking error signal; an ATS control signal generation unit which generates an ATS control signal to cancel out a tracking error; and a signal providing unit which provides the ATS control signal to a tracking servo loop.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium 10 comprises: a plurality of recording layers 14, each of which undergoes a change in a refractive index by irradiation with a recording beam; and at least one intermediate layer 15 provided between the plurality of recording layers 14. The recording layer 14 and the intermediate layer 15 have different refractive indices, and, among interfaces between the plurality of recording layers 14 and the at least one intermediate layer 15, a recording layer 14 and an intermediate layer 15 disposed adjacent to the recording layer 14 at an incident side from which the recording beam enters the recording layer 14 are merged with each other at an interface (near-side interface 19) therebetween, whereby a refractive index gradually changes at the interface.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a light illumination and light sensing unit configured to illuminate an optical disc recording medium including a reference surface having address information recorded and a recording layer, with recording light and light for position control; a recording unit which performs recording on the recording layer; and a control unit which controls, when data instructed to be recorded is to be recorded from an instructed recording start address, the recording unit to perform recording of dummy data on an area adjacent to a front side at least from the recording start address over a range of equal to or greater than the maximum spot deviation amount between an illumination spot of the light for position control and an illumination spot of the recording light and to perform recording of the data instructed to be recorded in succession to a recorded area of the dummy data.

Abstract: A dual sided optical storage medium which comprises a substrate disk having a first information layer readable from one side of the medium through the substrate disk and one or more information layers formed on the non-read side of the first information layer and configured to be read from the other side of the medium.

Abstract: A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.

Abstract: An optical disc driving device includes a control circuit 4 for performing a gain adjustment for each of two recording surfaces of a multilayered optical disc 1 on the basis of an FE signal in such a way as to maintain a state in which light is focused onto either of the recording surfaces, to generate a focus servo loop signal, and for generating a focus jump signal for causing either a transition from a state in which the light is focused onto one recording surface to a state in which the light is focused onto the other recording surface, or a transition in the opposite direction from a threshold set up on the basis of an amount of gain adjustment, and a focus actuator driving circuit 5 for performing either a focus jump or an operation of maintaining the state in which the light is focused.

Abstract: A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.

Abstract: A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.

Abstract: [Problem] In a conventional multilayer optical disc, management information needs to be retrieved from the control area of its reference layer to find how many information layers there are in the optical disc. [Means for Solving the Problem] A multilayer optical disc according to the present invention has multiple information layers that are stacked one upon the other. The information layers include at least one layer on which layer number information, indicating its own place in the multiple information layers, and information about the total number of information layers included are both stored.

Abstract: A medical-data management device includes: a medical data determination unit 32 that determines whether medical data to be recorded on an optical disc 14 is EMR data or not; and a medical-data access control unit 33 that causes an optical pickup 27 to access a write-once recording layer 18 of the optical disc 14 to write the data in the case where the medical data to be recorded according to a determination result of the medical data determination unit 32 is EMR data, and causes the optical pickup 27 to access rewritable recording layers 16 and 17 of the optical disc to write the data in the case where the medical data is not EMR data. A feature of the present invention is to prevent recording errors in medical data.

Abstract: A video apparatus includes a video processor for performing video processing to generate normal video data. The video processor includes an on-screen display (OSD) module for selectively generating OSD data that is capable of being mixed into the normal video data. The video apparatus further includes a digital output path including a digital transmitter and an analog output path including a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The video apparatus is capable of outputting OSD data through an unauthorized output path out of the digital and analog output paths to provide a user with a warning message or an interactive help dialogue.

Abstract: Optical information recording medium 10 comprises: a plurality of recording layers 14 which undergo a change in refractive index by irradiation with recording beam; and an intermediate layer 15 provided between the recording layers 14. The intermediate layer 15 includes first intermediate layer 15A disposed adjacent to a recording layer 14 at a side opposite to an incident side from which recording beam enters the recording layer, and second intermediate layer 15B disposed adjacent to a recording layer 14 at an incident side from which the recording beam enters the recording layer. The first intermediate layer 15A and the recording layer 14 have different refractive indices, whereas the second intermediate layer 15B and the recording layer 14 have substantially the same refractive index. The first and the second intermediate layer 15A, 15B are merged with each other at an interface therebetween, whereby refractive index gradually changes at the interface.

Abstract: A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a recording and reading layer that is previously staked or formed afterward and has no concavo-convex pattern for tracking control, and a servo layer in which a concavo-convex pattern or a groove for tracking control is formed. Information can be recorded in the recording and reading layer while tracking is performed using the servo layer.

Abstract: Methods for operating an apparatus for reading from or writing to a Super-RENS optical recording medium, an apparatus for reading from Super-RENS optical recording media using such methods, and a Super-RENS optical recording medium suitable for such methods are described. The super-RENS optical recording medium has location information that is readable without super-RENS effect. The location information is provided as low-frequency information. For locating a position on the super-RENS optical recording medium, a reading light beam with a power below a power necessary for achieving a super-RENS effect is generated and the location information is retrieved from the super-RENS optical recording medium.

Abstract: An optical disc device comprising: a controller for reading data from an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, wherein: the controller, in shifting a focus of the laser light from a first layer to a second layer, performs a first change that changes a setting on the high frequency signal to a predetermined value at which the high frequency signal is superimposed to suppress peak power of the drive signal if a light density of the second layer is higher than a light density of the first layer; the controller shifts the focus from the first layer to the second layer; and the controller, after the focus has been shifted, performs a second change that changes the setting on the high frequency signal to a predetermined value at which the high frequency signal is superimposed to increase the peak power of the drive signal.